MoD welcomes record number of female Afghan officer grads

General Sir Gordon Messenger, vice chief of the defence staff, has welcomed the increasing female participation in the Afghan security forces at a graduation ceremony for new Afghan officers at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) in Kabul.

2017’s class has the largest number of female graduates to date, with 23 officer cadets graduating.

The news comes after General Messenger, the MOD’s Gender Champion, participated in International Women’s Day events in Kabul, including meeting with British Council and Embassy staff who work closely with the Afghan government and civil society to create a better future for women and girls, including increasing awareness of gender issues in Afghanistan’s security institutions.

Messenger commented: “Today’s largest ever female graduate class demonstrates the progress the Afghan security forces are making in allowing women to help defend their country.

Britain’s enduring commitment to Afghanistan means we’re helping them in this task, as well as offering broader support to Afghanistan’s security institutions.