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.
