Photo By Lindsey Kibler | Brig. Gen. Charles W. Whittington Jr., (center) 29th Infantry Division deputy...... read more read more
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KABUL, Afghanistan -- As Afghans continue to take the lead on securing their country, engaging the female population has become a necessity. Specialized teams of female service members have been set up as a means to reach Afghan women throughout even region of the country.
Established in 2010, Female Engagement Teams are now assigned to every brigade combat team deployed throughout Afghanistan. Realizing this mission would be easier through collaboration, leaders from regional FETs met, Nov. 12, to share their experiences and ideas on how to better reach out to women and link them up with resources available through the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
“This workshop is different from those in the past… because we are developing the Afghan National Security Force female engagement training program so they can be trained on engagements and partner with us, then be able to take the lead,” said Maj. Sheila Medeiros, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command FET program manager.
About 30 coalition service members, civilians and cultural advisors attended the workshop, held at the IJC headquarters at the Kabul International Airport. All attendees work with female engagement teams on a daily basis, and are working toward a common goal of paving a pathway to stability, peace and prosperity, according to British Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Nigel Prince, communications directorate plans officer.
“We have to instill confidence in the Afghan people that GIRoA can do that for them,” said Prince.
Also in attendance was special guest Brig. Gen. Charles W. Whittington, Jr., deputy commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division and the IJC Security Partnering Director, who was on hand to hear ideas about the road ahead, as well as give kudos to FET leaders who have remained committed to their effort to secure their areas of operations.
This has not gone without challenges. The most common challenge discussed at the workshop were the cultural differences FETs face, especially when entering a city or village. The FETs often accompany all-male patrols, who are not allowed to speak to the Afghan women as a way of showing respect for their culture.
“There are many differences between Afghan women in the cities and those in the provinces,” explained Najia Kharoti, senior adviser of the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. “Not only do women in the cities have better access to education, but about 40 percent of them have a prominent household role, including a role in decision making. For women in the provinces, this is non-existent. The men make all the decisions.”
Because of this, FETs need to understand how to properly approach Afghan women without offending them. Kharoti said this can be done by remembering three things. First, be humble when approaching women and use a “soft, compassionate voice” when speaking. Second, remember that religion plays a significant role in the Afghan culture so be cautious of mocking or questioning it. Lastly, ask what the women want or how they can be assisted because “they want to feel as though they are being listened to,” Kharoti explained.
Kharoti added that the FETs have been doing an amazing job interacting with the population and, before leaving, thanked them for their dedication and professionalism in helping the people of Afghanistan.
“The female engagement teams, all over, are battlefield enablers that support their commander’s (counterinsurgency) objectives. If they are employed effectively, they can achieve a lot,” said Medeiros.
Medeiros will be following up with the various FETs throughout the country to ensure they are getting the support they need and are able to reach Afghan women in their areas. She continued to remind leaders of value they, and their teams, continue to add to the stability, peace and prosperity of Afghanistan.
Before departing, Whittington reiterated to the leaders the importance of the FET mission.
“Your job, as a member of a FET, is much more difficult,” said Whittington. “You will not reap the benefits of your work— that will happen long after you leave but you must stay committed because you are doing an important job.”
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2011 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 80063 |
| Location: | KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AF |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, FETs pave way to stable, prosperous Afghanistan, by Lindsey Kibler, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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