'Better bras please', Swedish women soldiers say
Swedish female soldiers are demanding the military provide them with combat-tested bras, amid complaints that the sports bras they must buy themselves unhook too easily, officials said Tuesday.
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Unlike their male counterparts who are provided with military-issue underwear, Sweden's 500-odd women conscripts must buy bras themselves since there are no military-issue brassieres, according to the Council of Conscripts, a union-like organisation.
"The women have had to buy sports bras instead. But they are not tested for combat situations nor for fire safety, and they are not functional. They unhook too easily," Council spokeswoman Paulina Rehbinder told AFP.
She criticised the military for its lack of gender equality, in a country widely considered a pioneer in the field.
"This sends a signal to women. You should be able to come to your workplace and be provided with equipment that works and that is safe," she said.
"There have been women in the Swedish military for more than 30 years but bras have never been provided by the military," she lamented, noting however that the military gave conscripts money to buy their bras.
But things look set for a change.
With between 800 and 1,000 women expected to become conscripts next year, the military is now developing a bra that is undergoing testing.
"It's supposed to be ready either later this year or next year," Rehbinder said.
Sweden has allowed women conscripts since 1980. Four to five percent of Sweden's armed forces are women.
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Last Updated (Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:21)
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