The Accession Programme enables nomination of qualified women for national army positions
KABUL: Banned from even taking up jobs by the Taliban, women in Afghanistan have a come a long way - flying even fighter planes and assuming an increasing role in their country's army.
Captains Latifa and Lailoma, who fly Mi-8 helicopters and Mig-17 fixed wing aircraft, are among 147 women serving the Afghan National Army (ANA). The two women pilots, from the Kabul Air University have 14 years of experience in flying and are among the 56 others selected for the Air Corps of ANA. Latifa said, "Part of my responsibility is to make the path clear for the future and for women who have the desire to become pilots in ANA."
During the Taliban rule, women in Afghanistan were prevented from taking jobs, forced to stay indoors until they were veiled, and prevented from going to even schools and colleges. Now women are assuming an increasing role in the security of the country through the Accessions Programme, which enables the nomination of qualified women for ANA positions.
A board consisting of officials from the ministry of defence, the ANA general staff and the office of the chief of personnel reviews and determines the eligibility of each woman based on age, education and military experience from prior service in the Afghan Militia Forces.
As the number of female officers in the ANA steadily increases, so does the number of female non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Today women are serving in medical, logistics and communications positions, mostly in and around Kabul.
Last month ANA's Medical Command got 43 personnel - all women. The 32 officers and 11 NCOs were posted in various locations, including three regional 100-bed ANA hospitals, the medical academy and the hospital annexe in Kabul.
ANA is not recruiting women for service as entry-level soldiers at present. Training them in basic military skills will require additional resources and programmes.
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