Mother of four fights to recruit women to army

A mother of four who served in Afghanistan with the Irish Army is leading the battle to get more women in the Defence Forces.

Commandant Jayne Lawlor admits it was tougher leaving her two children and two stepchildren at home than being one of seven Irish troops based at Nato headquarters in Kabul.

However, the 38-year-old claims the military is making progress in getting females to enlist and progress through the ranks while having a family.

“Having just returned from a six-month trip to Afghanistan, leaving four children at home with my husband, I fully realise how difficult it is with children,” she said.

“Personally, I think it is the partners at home who should be given themedal. I had previously served in Lebanon, Liberia and Kosovo without children and a family does make it much more difficult for all parties.”

Comdt Lawlor, a gender, equality, and diversity officer, admitted the physical training for the job is hard, but she rejected any perceptions that the military is not suitable for women.

Despite being office-based in Afghanistan, the member of the Cavalry Corps said she was very much part of the action and community in previous overseas missions, particularity in Liberia in 2004 and the Lebanon.

After Kosovo, in 2006 she took a career break to have children with husband Derek.

Comdt Lawlor revealed recruitment campaigns have been launched via social media, sports clubs, and schools to attract more female applicants.

The first women joined the Defence Forces in 1980 and the number has grown to 564 across the army, air corps and navy, 6% of the force.

“We are making progress as we now have three female lieutenant colonels in the Defence Forces and also have our first female sergeant major which is hugely positive and will also demonstrate to other females that it is possible,” she said.

“In addition, the number of females who are mothers deploying overseas has increased”.

“The message that we are trying to get out is that the DF is a great career for females and that we are actively trying to improve it even further to make it even more compatible with family life as many people seem to think that the two conflict.”