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Women Veterans COMMITTEE REPORT
BY MARSHA FOUR, CHAIR
The VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans has a long
and proud history of providing a biennial report of recommendations
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Vietnam Veterans
of America can take pride and credit for its work and contribution
to the establishment of this committee. Over the years,
women veterans from our organization have served on this
committee, with several serving as its chairs. The committee
was established by law to report to the Secretary and to
Congress and is subject to reauthorization by Congress.
These two mandatory processes have lapsed, and the VA
does not feel it is in its scope or desire to ask for congressional
renewal. We are concerned that, if not mandated by Congress,
this vital reporting could eventually be lost. Several
years ago, in fact, it was placed in jeopardy. VVA is diligently
working on reporting requirement legislation.
A hearing was held June 27 on Sexual Assault and Violence
Against Women in the Military and at the Academies. The
hearing was convened before the Subcommittee on National
Security of the U.S. House of Representatives. Although
not permitted to testify, VVA submitted a statement.
This issue must be vigorously addressed on all fronts.
The results of sexual assault and violence while in the
military ultimately affect forever many of the veterans
of this country. This cannot be pushed under the rug or
minimized. Programs in place by the Department of Defense
must be continuously monitored and evaluated. The vehicle
to perform this oversight must be put in place now. It
should be activated with reporting to the executive staff
of the Pentagon, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
the Secretary of Defense, and Congress. Oversight of the
ability of the VA to respond to the needs of these veterans
also must continue.
The mind-set and culture of the military must refocus
on its responsibility to all the troops regarding sexual
trauma and its criminal consequences. There must be a total
commitment on the part of DoD to insure the personal safety
of those in the military.
One topic of discussion is the position of Women Veteran
Coordinators in the Veterans Benefits Administration of
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We are examining
the degree of involvement, oversight, advocacy, policy,
and process that has been developed for the Women Veterans
Program Managers in the Veterans Health Administration
and its Women Health Program Office. These two entities
operate, in many ways, at opposite ends of the spectrum.
It is time that more attention and commitment be shown
within VBA to its Women Veterans Coordinator Program.
I challenge you to investigate the position of your local
Women Veterans Coordinators at your VA Regional Office.
Speak with them. Find out what their duties are. How much
time are they allocating to their position? Are they able
to function within their understanding of their position?
Ask them if they are totally aware of the duties of their
position. Ask them what they need. What would they like
to have in the way of support? What assistance would they
like to receive from VBA? What national structure and directives
would help them fulfill their position as the Women Veterans
Coordinator? If you do ask these questions, please forward
the responses to me via e-mail, mfour@vva.org I
would like the opportunity to move them forward.
I remind the State Women Veterans Committee chairs to
check with their State Presidents to obtain the packet
of information compiled by the National Women Veterans
Committee. It is distributed each time the presidents meet
with the National Board of Directors.
I encourage you to e-mail information to me that you think
may be appropriate for our committee web page.
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