The current equipment and clothing is unisex, and not – or only somewhat – adapted to the needs of women, who account for 0.9% of the Swiss Army.
“The focus will be on fit and functionality,” armasuisse spokesman Kaj-Gunnar Sievert told news agency Keystone-SDA on Sunday, confirming a report in the magazine Femina.
The planned modular system of military uniforms and gear also applies to men’s supplies. It is in its final testing and procurement stage, Sievert said. Some 350 military personnel around the nation have participated in initial tests.
The new cuts and sizing apply to combat gear, backpacks, bulletproof vests and hydration systems. They should be introduced next year. Later, the off-duty uniform will also be updated. The current ones date back to the mid-1980s.
To increase the number of women serving in the Swiss Armed Forces, Defence Minister Viola Amherd has launched an offensive for the advancement of women. She says that the compatibility of military service, training, career and family must be improved.
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Army moves to retain women who have served abroad
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The Swiss army says women who have served in a peace-building operation abroad should be able to join the militia army directly.
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The number of new female recruits has virtually doubled in the last two years. The SonntagsBlick newspaper reports that a record 250 women volunteered for service last year, up 35% from the previous year and practically double the 2015 numbers. “Interest in security issues among women has increased with the crises in Europe, in particular…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.