Contract changes urged to keep women in army

FEMALE representation in the Defence Forces will be badly hit unless employment contracts are overhauled, army representatives said yesterday.

PDFORRA called on the new Defence Minister Willie O’Dea to step in and alter the 12-year service rule. The contract, introduced in 1994, was brought in to lower the age profile of the force.

While women only make up 4% of Defence Forces strength, they account for 10% of recruits since 1994.