Defense, military staff to be disciplined over sexist comments aimed at female solider

Following complaints by a female soldier about sexist social media comments from colleagues, several defense employees will be spoken to about their behavior on social media, said junior defense minister Derk Boswijk. “I’ve had enough,” the woman told RTL.

The complaint was made by Mandy Herren, who said the comments in question appear under several posts by her or about her. Some write, "Take the makeup off her face,” while some allegedly comment that she was hired as a sex worker for her military colleagues.

“I’ve become more visible lately because I wrote a book and appear on podcasts,” she told RTL. “Of course you expect reactions then - negative and positive. Opinions are fine, as long as they’re respectful. But these are sexist remarks that have nothing to do with the substance.” Under Herren’s podcast episode, where she spoke last week about her Lebanon mission, there were also some comments saying she confused vibrator sounds with wartime noises during her employment.

“I’ve had enough,” Heeren said. "These aren't just anonymous keyboard warriors. I can see that some of them work for Defense. If a colleague said this in person, there would be consequences. You can’t let standards and values disappear just because there is a screen in between.”

“If you are the one engaging in disrespectful behavior, think carefully about the damage you are doing,” she continued to say during a conversation with the RTL. “Anyone who bullies or intimidates their own colleagues destroys what Defense stands for: fighting together for freedom in strong teams. These people will be spoken to as soon as possible. They are the ones stopping us from moving forward together.”

Hereen wants a new standard. "Defense has always been a masculine organization, but it also wants women as employees. Then a new path has to be created. I have to take those for now, but I will not be driven out,§ she said. I am a woman, I feel like a woman, and yes, I sometimes wear mascara. That does not make me a lesser soldier."

The junior defense minister said he is in conversation with several directorates within the ministry about a targeted response.

“We urge employees who face this kind of behavior to report it to their supervisor or to the independent reporting office, the Central Organization for Integrity Defense (COID). That way we can investigate and act where needed. And if statements are criminal, we will not hesitate to file a police report.”