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KABUL, Afghanistan – Female Afghan National Police are now manning security checkpoints in Kabul City, a first for ANP and Afghan women.
The two women paving the way are Qandi, who goes by just one name, and Mariam Wafa from Police District 7 in Kabul. They have worked as ANP for four years and six months respectively. On Feb. 19, they began working at a checkpoint in their district, a position previously reserved for their male counterparts. Prior to this duty, both served as entry control point guards and conducted female body searches.
The process of selecting women for checkpoint duty presented some challenges. Several women were willing to step up, but some of their families objected for cultural reasons, explained U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dennis Frey, lead mentor at PD 7.
Frey described Qandi and Wafa’s assignment to the checkpoint as a first step made with careful attention to cultural sensitivities, following a cautious, thorough selection process. But he has been happy with the results.
“These women are very assertive and quick,” said Frey.
Wafa and Qandi are performing their duties well, added Frey.
The female ANP have surprised some of the occupants of the vehicles they are searching, because Afghans are used to seeing men at the checkpoints.
One driver asked Wafa not to touch his wife because he assumed she was a male ANP. Wafa pulled down the scarf she had over the lower part of her face and replied she was a woman too. The husband was very surprised, but had no problem then with a female ANP searching his wife, said Wafa.
The reception from other women has been positive.
The women passengers really like seeing female ANP at the checkpoints and are more comfortable with being searched by them. Some have shown excitement about women conducting duties once only held by men, said Wafa.
“They respect ANP and say, ‘We believe in you,’” said Qandi.
Surpassing boundaries can be intimidating, but the women are determined to fulfill their ANP duties.
“If I was scared, I wouldn’t leave my house,” said Qandi.
Qandi and Wafa are the only women working at ANP checkpoints, currently. However, ANP mentors plan to branch these duties to other female ANP throughout Kabul, possibly using Qandi and Wafa in the training, said Frey.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2011 06:12 |
| Story ID: | 66565 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Female ANP Break the Mold, Perform Duties Traditionally Held by Male ANP, by SSgt Stacey Haga, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
