The Women in Defence APPG brings together Parliamentarians committed to improving female representation and broader diversity across the UK defence enterprise -including the Armed Forces, civil service, agencies, industry, academia and Parliament itself.
The APPG builds on the legacy of a previous iteration chaired by Sarah Atherton MP. This renewed APPG - re-established following its Inaugural General Meeting on 9 July 2025 - reflects growing cross-party and cross-sector momentum to tackle gender imbalances and make defence more inclusive, effective and reflective of the country it serves.
Purpose
The APPG exists to:
We act as a two-way conduit - bringing external voices into Parliament while helping Parliamentarians understand and act on the systemic and cultural issues holding progress back.
Championing the Women in Defence Charter 30by30 ambition: accelerating efforts to reach 30% female representation at all levels by 2030.
Convening critical conversations: regular roundtables, receptions, and thematic meetings across Parliament and industry to maintain momentum and exchange ideas.
Monitoring and recognising progress: through engagement across the UK defence enterprise, and upcoming data reports
Breaking down silos: connecting government, industry, the military, veterans and academia to ensure best practice is shared and scaled
Supporting visibility and accessibility: promoting opportunities for women in defence careers and celebrating female leadership at every level.
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