KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Brig. Gen. Khatool Mohammadzai,
director of women's affairs for the Afghan National Army and a deputy
director of planning and physical training for a reserve force that is
to be part of the Defense Ministry, recently met with military leaders
and local female members of the Afghan National Police at the Joint
Regional Afghan Command in Kandahar province, to discuss concerns and
issues facing female police officers. 
    For the last 28 years, Mohammadzai has been an example of
perseverance as she has worked to overcome the challenges of being a
female soldier in a male-dominated military force. 
    Before her homeland fell to the Taliban, she had risen to the
rank of 3 star general and was a national hero, a living symbol of her
country's hopes for the future, featured regularly at local or national
events in Afghanistan. 
    When describing the road that has led her to prominence her
previously jovial tone becomes solemn. She speaks quietly until she
finally breaks down into tears as she gives details of challenges that
could have led many to give up long ago. Her husband was killed after
only 1 year of marriage and, like her mother before her; she was left to
raise a child alone. 
    Mohammadzai said that her mother's example and her own hard work
are the reasons she has achieved so much success. 
    Her contributions to her nation have not just come in the form
of military service. During the rule of the Taliban she ran a secret
girls' school from her home.
    "Everything was destroyed and we needed to work hard. They
needed to be kept away from the danger outside," she said. "They needed
to learn about their culture and they needed to learn about themselves."
    Mohammadzai acknowledges the risks in such behavior but beams
with pride when she describes the success that many of her former
students have achieved.
"I love them and they love me. These are my people," she said.
    Mohammadzai said she is pleased that more women are stepping up
to the plate and becoming involved in the progress of building a better
Afghanistan. 
    She knows that her achievements are many and that she, like so
many Afghan women, will be remembered in history. However, she expresses
concerns about her safety and says more needs to be done to protect
females in her homeland.
    During the meeting at the JRAC, Mohammadzai spoke diligently
about her struggles as a single mother and Afghan Soldier. She stressed
to her female audience on the importance of education. 
    The general was very pleased with the productivity of the
meeting. Many stood to list some of the challenges faced by female ANP.
The lack of childcare, base housing and security, monthly pay allowances
and promotion ability were some of the issues they discussed. Many
expressed joy to see someone from the Afghan's higher leadership
visiting them. 
    According to Maj. Sheila Medeiros, a female engagement team
program manager for ISAF Joint Command, Gen. Mohammadzai galvanizes
Afghanistan's women.
    "Hopefully through her, they see the opportunities to better
themselves. They can take those risks and make their lives better," she
said.
    Mohammadzai said she hopes that people will do the right thing
to help build their country. She looks forward to what is in store for
her nation's future if the people will work hard and educate the youth
so they will know their history and know themselves.
    "When we join the military, we take an oath," she said. "We put
our hand on the Koran and swear to be honest, to have faith, and to do
our best. If we do these things, we can be successful."
    According to Mohammadzai, the key to progress in Afghanistan
will be the way the Afghan people treat one another after the withdrawal
of foreign troops. She notes that she has seen progress as Afghan forces
move to take more responsibility over daily operations. However, she
believes it will take much more than that for her home land to prosper.
    "We have to respect culture and humanity and put aside our
differences in order to move ahead," she said.
    She added that women in Afghanistan have more power than they
even realize and can play a pivotal role in the future.
    Her continued work to push barriers and boundaries illustrates
her passionate belief that the women of Afghanistan can rise together
and form a chain of unity for today, tomorrow, and forever.  
    "It is up to them," she said. "If they will use their power in
the right way, if they work hard and they are honest, we can succeed."