In Ireland, a documentary highlights violence against women in the army
In Ireland, the public radio station RTÉ has just broadcast a documentary that evokes a misogynistic atmosphere within the Irish armed forces (photo illustration).
AP - Peter Morrison
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Four years after the start of the MeToo movement, it's the armies' turn to do their introspection.
The #militarymetoo kicked off in Canada in May.
In Ireland, the public radio station RTÉ has just broadcast a documentary entitled
Women of Honor
,
Femmes d'Honneur
.
The documentary evokes a misogynistic atmosphere within the Irish armed forces.
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From our correspondent in Dublin
,
The
documentary
aired on radio evokes a misogynist atmosphere in the Irish Defense Forces.
A dozen women testify at the microphone of the journalist Katie Hannon, without hiding their identity, women still under the flags or having left the ranks because of what they underwent.
📻Next today, @ KatieGHannon's documentary #WomenOfHonour airs on @ RTERadio1 (1pm)
Former female members of the Irish Defense Forces bravely share their #IrishMilitaryMeToo stories with Katie.
🎧Listen live: https://t.co/1uc3VSCs88 pic.twitter.com/xZnNJKe7tw
- RTÉ (@rte) September 11, 2021
There is Carina whom a soldier touched during swimming training, to the laughter of the rest of the barracks.
Ciara, engaged in the Navy, whose cabin door was forced open by two other soldiers, almost naked.
Colette, whom her boss tried to rape in her room.
Sexist remarks, refused promotions, incomprehensible prohibitions, such as wearing tampons or lace panties.
Beyond these serious facts, sexual assault and harassment, these women tell of the inaction of the hierarchy, the refusal to take into account the reports, so as not to break the careers of the male counterparts.
Some were also kept on the same boat or in the same barracks as their attackers.
Little progress despite the existence of a charter
Four years after #MeToo, these testimonials seem almost banal. Except: despite the feminist movement, nothing has changed in the Irish army. The military admitted it was already aware of these cases. As early as 2001, Captain Tom Clonan published a thesis on discrimination and systemic violence against women in the army - they represent 7% of those engaged. Among the facts recounted in the documentary, some date from the 1980s, at the very beginning of the opening of the army to women, but others are much more recent.
Since then, certain discriminations have been lifted, for example the ban on women parading during ceremonies or the ban on flying a plane.
But the former captain, now a university teacher, continues to receive dozens of testimonies.
Despite the development of a charter, which must be signed by all soldiers, in which they undertake to respect all their colleagues, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
A commission of inquiry set up
The documentary did not have a huge impact in society, overwhelmed by discussions around the 2022 budget which will be unveiled next month.
The
Women of Honor
nevertheless received the support of several elected members of the opposition and other female soldiers, British in particular.
Two days after the documentary aired, Defense Minister Simon Coveney announced the formation of an independent commission of inquiry to clarify the documentary's accusations.
The group of victims believes that this does not go far enough, that structural measures must be taken to change the culture in the military.
The
Women of Honor
are due to meet with the minister this week to present their recommendations.
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