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This publish was initially printed on Afro
By Tashi McQueen
The Division of Veteran Affairs (VA) introduced that 702,557 girls veterans now obtain incapacity advantages, a 26 % enhance from 2019.
The Beneath Secretary for Advantages, Joshua Jacobs, spoke to the press on March 20, saying this accomplishment is as a result of VA’s want to “construct a VA that meets girls veterans the place they’re, fairly than asking them to come back to us.”
Girls make up 16.5 % of the 18 million veterans within the U.S.
Their current growth efforts to higher accommodate girls veterans included elevated healthcare choices. The VA now has breast most cancers screenings and mammograms for girls veterans probably uncovered to toxins, entry to reproductive well being providers, and one-on-one maternity care.
In accordance with VA press secretary Terrence Hayes, one cause girls veterans weren’t getting as a lot entry to VA advantages was that they merely didn’t enroll.
“Girls veterans previously could not have felt welcome by the VA,” mentioned Hayes. “That’s why it’s necessary now, inside our management and our VA charged by President Biden, to make sure that we’re going instantly to each single veteran.”
Jacobs mentioned the VA is internet hosting almost 140 occasions this yr to help girls veterans. All through 2023, the VA held greater than 2,500 occasions and has begun instantly texting and emailing veterans to encourage them to have interaction with the VA.
“Whereas we’re happy with these accomplishments, there’s nonetheless extra work to do,” mentioned Jacobs. “We wish each girl veteran to come back to us for the advantages that they’ve earned and deserved. We’re consistently working to increase our outreach and our providers to higher serve girls veterans.”
Zaneta Adams, a U.S. Military veteran and a VA incapacity beneficiary since 2005, believes the VA can enhance its outreach to girls and be certain that they know it’s a protected place.
“The VA can do higher at ensuring extra girls veterans know that the tradition has modified for the higher,” mentioned Adams, the VA’s deputy assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs.
Adams mentioned she’s been in a position to have all-women suppliers throughout her time with the VA and entry high quality psychological well being providers.
“Yesterday’s VA just isn’t in the present day’s VA,” she mentioned. “If you’re not profiting from the advantages you will have earned, you’re lacking out.”
Girls Veterans can name, textual content, or chat on-line with the Girls Veterans Name Heart (WVCC) at 855-829-6636 for help and to seek out assets and providers of their space.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
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