Military (Women in the Military)

We’re working to expand opportunities for female service members, to better prevent and detect sexual harassment and assault, and to eliminate all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on pregnancy and parental status.

Highlights

press release | Historic Decision on Combat Roles for Women Opens the Doors of Opportunity to All Women in the Armed Forces, says NWLC

January 23, 2013

Pentagon Chief Leon Panetta has lifted the military’s ban on women serving in combat. The following is a statement by Nancy Duff Campbell, Co-President of the National Women’s Law Center:

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press release | NWLC Applauds Senator Gillibrand's Legislation That Moves Key Decisions in Sexual Assault Cases Outside the Chain of Command

May 16, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senators Collins (R-ME), Boxer (D-CA), Johanns (R-NE), Begich (D-AK), Blumenthal (D-CT), Coons (D-DE), Franken (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Milulski (D-MD), Pryor (D-AR), Schatz (D-HI), Shaheen (D-NH), and Representatives Benishek (R-MI), Gabbard (D-HI), Hanna (R-NY) and Sinema (D-AZ) announced The Military Justice Improvement Act, the bicameral legislation that would reform the military justice system by moving the decision-making, prosecution and referral for prosecution of all serious crimes from the chain of command. Read more...

Legal Briefs & Testimony | Letter to Senate Committee Supporting the Military Justice Improvement Act

June 7, 2013

In a letter to the Senate Committee on Armed Services regarding the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, NWLC indicated strong support of the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would remove from the chain of command the prosecution and other key decision-making in military cases involving crimes punishable by confinement of one year or more, except crimes that are uniquely military, such as disobeying orders.

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Fact Sheet | Restrictions on Assignments of Military Women: A Brief History

May 6, 2013

The general trend since the end of the Second World War has been expanding roles for women in the armed forces. This paper provides background information on the history and status of policy governing assignment of military women.

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More Resources

Legal Briefs & Testimony | Letter to Senate Committee Supporting the Military Justice Improvement Act

June 07, 2013

In a letter to the Senate Committee on Armed Services regarding the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, NWLC indicated strong support of the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would remove from the chain of command the prosecution and other key decision-making in military cases involving crimes punishable by confinement of one year or more, except crimes that are uniquely military, such as disobeying orders.

 Read more...

Fact Sheet | Restrictions on Assignments of Military Women: A Brief History

May 06, 2013

The general trend since the end of the Second World War has been expanding roles for women in the armed forces. This paper provides background information on the history and status of policy governing assignment of military women.

 Read more...

Fact Sheet | Give Military Women the Health Care Coverage They Deserve

May 17, 2012

Under current law, women in the military who are survivors of rape and incest are denied coverage for abortion care.  This coverage is less than the coverage provided to other women who rely on the federal government for health insurance.  Military women sacrifice for our country every day -- we should not thank them by giving them less health care coverage than their civilian counterparts.  The ban on health care coverage for abortion care in case of rape and incest should be lifted immediately.

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Fact Sheet | Eliminating Sexual Assault Should Be a Top Priority of the Department of Defense

December 15, 2008

Despite the attention given to the issue in recent years, the sexual assault of military women is an ongoing, serious problem within our armed forces. Sexual assault is a grave criminal offense with detrimental effects on readiness, and preventing it should be an urgent priority of the Department of Defense.

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Fact Sheet | Military Women Should Be Allowed to Serve in All Units and Occupations for Which They Qualify

December 15, 2008

Service women have proven their value and valor under fire in our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is time to update the policies governing women’s military utilization so that they, as with the policies governing men’s utilization, are based on national security needs and women’s field-proven capabilities. This will allow current and future commanders the widest possible latitude to employ all their personnel as the mission dictates without artificial limitations.

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