WUNRN
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_71148.htm
Afghanistan Air Force Now Includes Women
03
Mar. 2011
The Afghan Air Force can now count on
Afghan women to help defend their country alongside their male compatriots, a
significant milestone and an inspiration to women, considering how women’s
rights in
Since October 2010, five female lieutenants have been
preparing for a career as pilot officers in
While at the Thunder Lab, the female and male lieutenants compete on equal terms, and train shoulder to shoulder with their advisors. However, they retain segregated living quarters.
“I
am excited to be here... It is my big wish, my big dream to join the air force.
First, I want to be a good pilot -- after that an engineer,” says
2nd Lt. Mary.
The five lieutenants previously graduated from a 20-week basic military training programme at the officer candidate school (OCS).
Graduating third in her class from OCS, 2nd Lt. Sourya explains that her father offered her the opportunity to join the programme when he saw a television announcement that women could join the army. Sourya’s father was very supportive and strongly encouraged her to apply. “You can go, you can do your job for your country, for your family and for yourself,’” he said.
The next step for the five graduates is advanced English
language training at the Kabul English and
Graduating candidates will then move on to the
There are approximately 1,400 women in uniformed
positions across the Afghan national security forces, which currently
represents less than 1% of Afghan army and police personnel strength. However,
this remains a historic milestone for the Afghan women who up until just 10
years ago had been deprived of their fundamental rights. As Col. Mohammed
Marif, Pohantoon-e-Hawayee commander, says: "I can only imagine how much of a personal honor it is
for these five females to inspire the females who will come up through the
ranks after them".