5 hours agoFor the first time in history, Australia puts a woman in charge of the army
Periskopi(3 months ago)
(3 months ago)Australia has announced Monday that a woman will head her army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of the country's defence force leadership. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, current joint capacity chief, will become army chief starting in July, the government said in [...]
Australia has announced Monday that a woman will head her army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of the country's defence force leadership.
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, current joint capacity chief, will become the army chief starting in July, the government said in a statement. It will replace Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.
Coyle's appointment comes as the Australian army aims to increase the number of female officers in its ranks.
“From July, we will have the first army chief woman in the 125-year history of the Australian Army,”, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said in a statement.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has called the appointment of Coyle a deeply historical “> ”.
Susan's arrival will be deeply important for women serving in the Australian Protection Force today and the women who are considering serving at the Australian Protection Force in the future”, Marles said.
Coyle, 55, was drafted into the military in 1987 and held a number of high command roles. She will be the first woman to lead any branch service, according to Marles.
Women currently make up about 21% of the Australian Protection Force (ADF) and 18.5% of the top leading roles. The ADF has set a 25% overall turnout target for women by 2030.
