Last Saturday the first all-female foot patrol took place in Uruzgan. Nine women serving with Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) and the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) – seven soldiers, one diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague and one Afghan interpreter – took part in the patrol near Ali Shirzai, Chora district. The special unit was led by Sergeant 1st Class Eli of the Battle Group.
The PRT, which is working to reconstruct and develop Uruzgan, is keen to improve the position of women in the province. Chora district, situated to the north of Tarin Kowt, was the scene of heavy fighting two years ago. It was chosen as the location of the patrol because it is a conservative area where it is difficult to speak to women in public and it was felt an all-female patrol may help establish contact with women in the area.
‘No-one suffered more under the Taliban’s reign of terror than the women of Afghanistan. Strict segregation of the sexes is a tradition in Uruzgan. Here, the way to reach women is through other women. That is why we came up with the idea of an all-female squad of soldiers and civilians to tackle this issue head on,’ said Michel Rentenaar, Director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Uruzgan.
Women from all over Chora traditionally come together during the Festival of Sacrifice. The special patrol was an ideal opportunity to speak with local women out of the view of men. In the next few months the PRT Team is planning to set up a women’s park where women can go to meet. In interviews, local women have expressed enthusiasm for the plan.
Source: isria.com/
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