Ms. Rahmani gained notoriety in Afghanistan and abroad after striking photos circulated showing her on the job in a tan jumpsuit uniform and “Top Gun”-style aviators. Afterward, she says she began receiving threats — not just from extremists, but also from extended family and her colleagues within the security forces. Numerous Afghan female military trainees who went through joint training in the United States have gone AWOL, according to the United States Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The United States owes it to these women — who risk their lives every day to defend Afghan and United States interests — to not just push for further gender equality, but to do so wisely. Someone in power should sit down with them, and ask: How can the United States better help you help Afghanistan?

Source: New York Times November 21, 2017 06:51 UTC