Khatol Mohammadzai was active in the Afghan army for more than 30 years. She earned many awards and made nearly 600 parachute jumps from an airplane. In addition, Mohammadzai has trained hundreds of Ministry of Defense members. But it took the U.S.-led military coalition’s defeat of the Taliban in 2001 to make it possible for Mohammadzai to become a general. She is the first woman in Afghanistan to reach the rank of general. For years, the Afghan National Army has been considered a man’s army. Khatol said, “When I move around the city with my uniform, people show great affection…I have motivated many young people to join the army. People from the provinces say they love me and my professions.” In Afghanistan, joining the military is not an easy choice for women. They face opposition from families and male co-workers. Reports say they are denied promotions, training and security. But the 103 female cadets at the Marshal Fahim Military Academy in Kabul want to change the military culture. Gulaly is an army cadet. She said she is working for the security of her country. She said, “My goal from the beginning is to promote myself to the level of General Khatol or even higher than her.” Women and men train separately at the academy. However, Afghan officers say their programs are similar. Both receive physical education, weapons and medical care training. Cadet Sima Amiri says that she is one of the few women who had her father’s support to join the army. She said, “My message to the families is to encourage their daughters and help them in their decision to join the National army.” Khatol has urged for the expansion of service for women. She said, “It was my education and hard work that enabled me to raise the Aghan flag in the world. I request my heroic brothers and sons to strive for education of their daughters.” The Ministry of Defense says 1,700 women serve in the Afghan Army, about 1 percent of the total. I'm Susan Shand. Jill Craig reported this story for VOA News. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story parachute – n. a piece of equipment usually made of cloth that is fastened to people or things and that allows them to fall slowly and land safely after they have jumped or been dropped from an aircraft uniform – n. a special kind of clothing that is worn by all the members of a group or organization promotion – n. the act of moving someone to a higher or more important position or rank in an organization cadet –n. a student at a military school preparing to become an officer encourage – v. to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident strive – v. to try very hard to do or achieve something
from Voice of America https://ift.tt/2IYGO1b
via IFTTT
الاشتراك في:
تعليقات الرسالة (Atom)
المشاركات الشائعة
-
As President of the United States, Donald Trump shakes a lot of hands. But look out. If you shake Trump’s hand, you might get pulled off y...
-
Even in the world of medicine, what is old is new again. Thousands of years ago, Egyptians used it to sterilize drinking water. Ancient Roma...
-
00:00:02 OPRAH WINFREY: "Hattie Mae, this child is gifted," and I heard that enough that I started to believe it. 00:00:08 ...
-
Pyongyang University of Science and Technology is North Korea’s first privately funded university. It opened in 2010. But, the head of the s...
-
An unpublished United Nations report says that North Korea sent materials that could be used in chemical weapons to Syria and missile techno...
-
The first-ever direct China-to-Britain freight train arrived in London last week. It was the latest evidence of China’s efforts to redevel...
-
The government of Zimbabwe is denying a report that President Robert Mugabe has suffered a heart attack. Presidential spokesman George Chara...
-
Zimbabwe wants small business to be able to get credit to start or grow a business. If the country’s Parliament approves a bill proposed l...
-
United Nations’ economic restrictions ordered against North Korea in March have produced mixed results. Prices for goods in North Korea ha...
-
North Korea has increased efforts in recent years to prevent outside information from entering the country. But international activists say ...
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق