9 March 2024
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This International Women’s Day, the head of Defence Force School of Policing urged people to think about the person, not the gender.
Commander Jocelyn Blowfield said Defence people should be treated equally because they all contribute to achieve the mission.
“Your potential and opportunities should not be limited by your gender identity, or who you choose to love,” she said.
“At the end of the day, it’s about whether you’re a good human, whether you’re professional and competent at work, and your values.”
She said the International Women’s Day message was important in seeking investment and empowerment.
“Within Defence, we need to achieve equal opportunities for all who serve,” she said.
Commander Blowfield has achieved a lot in almost three decades.
From joining as a radio operator in the late 1990s to executive officer of the Australian Defence Force Academy and now commander of the triservice Defence Force School of Policing, she faced times in her career when she was the only current serving female naval police coxswain officer.
She said the face of Defence was different now.
There are now more women at a senior level than in the past.
“We have a lot more women at the chief [chief petty officer], warrant officer and officer level, many balancing family and work, and changes to the Total Workforce Model has enabled people to have longer careers,” Commander Blowfield said.
The Total Workforce Model was introduced in 2016 and reduces barriers to switch between permanent and part-time service as people’s circumstances change.
Held on March 8, the theme of International Women’s Day 2024 was ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate progress’ aimed at tackling economic disempowerment.
