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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Military fails to provide proper kit for women.

12 replies

WrongKindOfFeminist · 22/07/2026 12:49

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj1jdgpzjlo

Servicewomen still failing to be properly kitted out, ffs.

Rhian Brown looks at a display of poppies. Rhian is wearing military fatigues and a beret and has her arms crossed looking away from the camera.

Military kit prompts breast-fit concerns among women troops

Servicewomen still face shortages of properly fitting kit, five years after a landmark report.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj1jdgpzjlo

OP posts:
SwirlyGates · 22/07/2026 13:02

"We are trying to address that women are not small men - they're shaped differently."

How do they not know this? Or do they not care?

(Bit like the "if men have had genital surgery they are women" argument. Men are the default and women are just some kind of inadequately-formed men).

Duvetdayneeded · 22/07/2026 13:10

I think the military are being failed in every way possible anyway.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 22/07/2026 13:18

Meanwhile:

'The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of failing female soldiers by refusing to clarify its transgender policies more than a year after the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/27/female-soldiers-failed-by-mod-over-trans-guidance-claim/

OP posts:
1984Now · 22/07/2026 14:03

Hmm, does that include the cos playing women?
Nope, I think their male kit fits very well indeed.
Ditto body armour in the police.

alexdgr8 · 22/07/2026 14:09

Meanwhile the MOD are sponsoring specialist kit for Ukrainian women troops made by a company in Coventry.
Heard on Women's Hour today.

MarieDeGournay · 22/07/2026 14:41

I know it's not the point, but I find it odd that British Army women have to wear skirts as part of their dress uniform. It seems like an incongruous insistence on appearing 'feminine'.

Irish Army men and women wear the same uniform- quite possibly with the same limitations as the British Army's, I don't know. But no skirts on parade.

Military fails to provide proper kit for women.
Grammarnut · 22/07/2026 15:57

I find skirts more convenient for everything except climbing ladders and my hobby. I never understand why trousers are more convenient - they don't match our anatomy.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 22/07/2026 16:14

Grammarnut · 22/07/2026 15:57

I find skirts more convenient for everything except climbing ladders and my hobby. I never understand why trousers are more convenient - they don't match our anatomy.

Skirts are a pain in the arse! Legs are protected in trousers, better for almost all practical tasks, surely?

OP posts:
hahabahbag · 22/07/2026 16:22

not just the army too, the fit tests for masks isn’t inclusive, dd has the one that fitted the best rather than one that actually fitted perfectly! On the flip side they special ordered uniform and/or paid for tailoring, the boots alone were £££ and took weeks because they had no size 3’s ready to wear in stores, the suppliers are to blame as well, it’s like they forgot women have smaller feet, are shorter etc

alexdgr8 · 23/07/2026 18:54

Surely trousers are better fir women's modesty too.
The particular parts are more covered and protected.
Look how schoolgirls wear cycling shorts under skirts.

Igmum · 28/07/2026 09:09

Agree with you @SwirlyGatesit’s amazing how many organisations seem to assume that humanity is divided into men and small men and prepare accordingly. WTF?

Evolutionarygoals · 28/07/2026 09:51

A number of years ago I had to do sea survival training for work, run by some ex navy types. Being somewhat top heavy, I found it really difficult to get the floatation vest to sit in a way that was much use. The instructors were really clear that it had to fit tight against the chest to be of use, but right against my chest is a very different angle to tight against a man's chest. Not wanting to draw my male colleagues attention to my massive knockers I didn't really say anything, but it was clear to me that I was having to expand more energy to keep my head above water when floating than they were.

I do think it must be very difficult for our female military, where presumably, almost everything just doesn't quite work properly.

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