Progress; Safety first

Afghanistan sharply divides the sexes through culture, and under the Taliban girls and women were forbidden employment, education and the vote. There are now women in senior government and military positions although the numbers are still small. Shown is the newly appointed assistant chief of nursing, the woman on the left. She previously taught nursing and is well respected by her colleagues here. She will oversee the day-to-day duties and work of the nursing staff. Herat has many schools for girls now and the universities admit most who apply. The country has a national women's day as well.
Also shown is me in the "Gator" we use for hauling stuff around the FOB. Even though it's very slow and low to the ground, we wear hard hats and high visibility belts. The ANA soldiers however never wear goggles, helmets or seat belts. We currently have several badly injured soldiers in the hospital due to vehicle accidents. Maybe in 20 years...