LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - While many countries celebrated the economic, social and political achievements in honor of Women's International Day, Logar province hosted two historic firsts to highlight the many accomplishments of women in Afghanistan, March 8.
The first event in celebration of WID was a visit to Forward Operating Base Shank by the only serving woman general in the Afghan national army and the first female parachutist, Gen. Khatol Mohammadzai.
Keeping in theme with the special day of promoting continual progress for women, Mohammadzai took this opportunity to speak to women Soldiers, highlight their contribution and also encourage Afghan women to do the same.
International Women's Day, March 8, is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, it is a national holiday. Mohammadzai, the first female parachutist and general in the Afghan national army, spent the day speaking to the Task Force Bayonet command group and women of the Logar province.
She recognized the vital roles that women possess in the military.
"The whole world knows the military females are real heroes, they left their families behind and came to Afghanistan or to any other country, and are working shoulder to shoulder, and side by side their male counterparts," she said.
Mohammadzai said that women must work to empower other women.
"These women [Soldiers] can make other women braver, and tell them what they do. Just as you made me brave today, and convinced me to come to come to Logar province, you can convince other ladies to come to the military and work with their male counterparts. Women can work alongside males in the community," she said.
Mohammadzai spoke of unity and the female Afghan community.
She said that her journey to success was not paved without obstacles and her own fears.
"Becoming a general, especially in Afghanistan as a female, is not an easy thing. I wanted to work hard and show other Afghan females that a woman can be a general," she said.
But the event would not have been complete, without Mohammadzai sharing her first flight as a parachutist with the 'Sky Soldiers'.
"The first time I jumped, I screamed so hard, thinking that the parachute was just there, not moving anywhere," she said. "There was nobody there to help me, and I thought I was just standing there not moving. I was so lightweight that all of my fellow parachutists were already on the ground and I was still in this sky. When I reached the ground it was so comfortable. I didn't tell my family, but when my mom found out she was crying and screaming, asking what kind of job I had chosen."
Mohammadzai said she hasn't look back since and has continued to pushed forward.
The second event, celebrating WID's and also a historic first took place not far from Mohadmmadzai's visit, in the women's center of the Pul-E-Alam district, where more than 100 women attended, including Gov. Lodin of Logar province.
"What was unique was having a girl read the Koran to open the ceremony," said U.S. Army Capt. Ramona Fastow, Task Force Bayonet's women's affairs coordinator. "Literacy rate for women [in Afghanistan] is about 14 to 15 percent. The fact that this girl can read and have the support of her family to get up, read [in public], gives other women hope."
By the time, the Afghan-led event started there was only standing room available.
Many women were excited to celebrate this day, but some wanted to see more changes and voice other concerns that would improve the future of Afghanistan for women.
"It's a good event, hopeful for the women of Afghanistan," said a woman from the Baraki Barak district. "[Compared to when the Taliban ruled], now there's more freedom. We can go outside."
Another Afghan woman, from the Juyak district said that she would like to see more vocational programs, child-care and children's programs on the radio stations.
This event not only celebrated WID, but allowed women from various parts of Afghanistan to come together as one voice and share ideas to improve Afghanistan, Fastow said.
Celebrated globally March 8, WID highlights and promotes continual progress in the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future.
"Even though we are away from each other, I am in Kabul and you are in Logar, we are not far away in our hearts," she said. "I am part of your body, as one of your hands. When you need me, I'll be here to help."
You have to work diligently in this community, she said.
"Becoming a general, especially in Afghanistan as a female, is not an easy thing. I wanted to do this, I wanted to work hard for it and show the other Afghan females that a female can be a general in this community," she said.
This diligence is required not only as a commanding officer, but also as a parachutist, said Mohammadzai.
"As a parachutist, or as a jumper, you have to be a storm, you have to be an earthquake, you have to be something that can move the whole world with your jump," she said. "We have all proved ourselves in the sky as parachutists."
Mohammadzai said her first experience with parachuting was not without anxiety.
"Every time I was jumping, my mom could not sit in the house. She would go crazy running and walking around, praying to god for my safety. At the time I didn't understand because I didn't have kids. Now that I have kids I understand both the pain in life, and how sweet kids are," said Mohammadzai.
Mohammadzai thanked her mother for playing such a vital role in her life.
"It was the prayer of my parents, my mom, that made me reach what I am today," she said.
Prayer and hard work pushed her forward, she said.
"I had to work very hard; sometimes I was even scared for my life. I still went ahead and did it," she said.
Mohammadzai said she grew brave because of all her hard work.
"If you receive, or get, or achieve something difficult, then you are so proud and always happy. If you get something easily, then you are always looking to the ground, you don't think that you worked hard for it, you just got it. I'm so proud and I can talk to anybody bravely because I worked hard," she said.
Mohammadzai left with parting words igniting a call to action for the women present.
"We should work to make our male co-workers understand that women can do something like this," said Mohammadzai.
"I know males and females because I've worked with both and understand," she said. "The reality is that women deserve more respect then what they are given."