Afghan women recruited by national police in fight against Taliban
Posted: September 10, 2009.
Print: The Telegraph
They have no uniform and little training but a small band of Afghan women are taking the battle to the Taliban after becoming Helmand’s first female police recruits the Ministry of Defence said.
Tales of heroic feats already abound - one woman was honoured with a police award after reportedly karate-kicking a detonator from the hands of a would-be bomber.
They are literally making history. They are few in number but they are paving the way for Helmandi women to have a very different future.
Many of the women do not tell their neighbours or even their families what they do for a living for fear of reprisals.
Zaazanga, who is 36 and married with six children, said: “I tell my neighbours that I work at a clinic.
“If they found out what I did, I would be reported to the Taliban. They would have me killed within seconds.
“My job is a secret from everyone, not even my husband knows.” ///
Everyone knows about the appalling struggle faced by Afghans against the backward and repressive Taliban.
This article left me in awe at the courage of these women. Not only to fight the Taliban with no guns(!), no uniforms and no training, but also without even the support of their most immediate circle of friends and family.
This really is quiet heroism.
The comment that they would be REPORTED to the Taliban really is shocking. It reminds me that while the Taliban are at the far end of a spectrum, “moderate Islam” is a religion that differentiates and degrades 50% of the population.
posted on September 11, 2009report this as inappropriate
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