RC-East celebrates Women’s Day

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- All across eastern Afghanistan International Security Assistance Forces, Afghan National Security Forces, as well as Afghan women, and provincial government officials gathered to prepare beforehand and to celebrate women’s day on March 8.

The day before the celebration, ISAF servicemembers patrolled the streets of Sharana district in Paktika province while dropping off women and children’s clothes, shoes and toys in preparation for International Women’s day events, held the following day at the Director of Women’s Affairs compound in the district.

The Laghman province, the director of Women’s Affairs, Hanifa Safi, hosted a celebration for Women’s Day as well as gave a speech regarding the value of women and equal rights between the genders. The event brought hundreds of women together at the Women’s Affairs Garden in the province.

The provincial leadership will continue to support women’s events and seek opportunities to recognize successful women in community. Stressing their importance in society, the Laghman provincial governor encouraged women to keep pressing forward and welcomed any issues and concerns they have.

The Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team’s female engagement team attended a shura on International Women’s Day, in the Nengarach village in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province.

Nooristani, an engineer from the Do Ab District and one of Nuristan’s most successful women, planned the shura to celebrate women’s rights and equality in the light of Islam. The shura provided an opportunity to build unity among women, Nuristan’s tribes, the Afghan government officials, and Coalition Forces.

The shura was also an opportunity to speak to others about the civic duty people have to protect those who deliver aid and implement development projects in Nuristan province.

Many women and young girls, the village Maliks, Afghan government officials, and the Nuristan female engagement team attended the shura.

In Logar province, more than 100 Afghan women gathered to celebrate the International Women’s Day at the Pul-E-Alam Women’s Center. 

The event attracted women from several districts with diverse backgrounds. Some women were key speakers and inspired others of the continual progress made so far, while others supported the availability of more training programs and educational opportunities for women.

The celebration was attended by the Logar provincial governor, Governor Lodin and the director of women’s affairs, Ms. Najiba. 

Also in Logar province, Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Shank, had the opportunity to meet with Afghanistan’s only serving female general, Gen.  Mohammadzai Khatol, during a visit to celebrate the special day. 

As the highest ranking woman in Afghanistan’s air force and the only female paratrooper, General Khatol shared her story with the Soldiers and continued to push more opportunities for Afghan women.