This International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8 March, Mates4Mates is encouraging the female veteran community to reach out for support if they have been impacted by their service.

This year’s IWD theme is Break the Bias, providing an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements but also raise awareness against bias.

Commonly veteran issues in the media are seen as male-centric, but it’s important that female veterans impacted by service feel seen and heard. We want them to know that there is support available for them too.

Nearly one third of all those reaching out for support at Mates4Mates are women – with a 36% increase in women accessing our services in 2021. Many of them are veterans living with defence-related physical injuries and mental health issues.

The transition to civilian life can cause concerns for isolation in women who have left the Defence Force. Sadly, the rates of suicide among veteran women are more than two times higher than those of Australian women who have not served.

On a day like International Women’s Day, let’s use this time as an opportunity to rally around female veterans – mums, daughters and grandmothers – and show we care. If you know a veteran, reach out and show them that they’re not alone and encourage them to reach out for support.

Current and ex-serving Defence Force personnel experiencing service-related injuries and isolation, including mental health issues, can access free support at Mates4Mates by calling 1300 462 837 (1300 4 MATES) or visiting mates4mates.org

– Clare Mitchell, National Clinical Manager, Mates4Mates

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