Story by Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Oliver, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Photos submitted by Agribusiness Development Team 3.
[caption id="attachment_10732" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Agribusiness Development Team 3's Female Engagement Team helps to educate the local Afghan women to empower them. From left to right: Capt. Carla Getchell, Staff Sgt. Jane Rothstein, Sgt. Heather Carrier, Sgt. Claudia Rector, Capt. Paula Thrush."]
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team 3 is leaving an impact on the women of Afghanistan.
The Directors of Women's Affairs in the Provinces of Kapisa, Pawan, and Panjshayr conducted their very first Tri-Provincial Women's Council meeting with the help of the ADT 3 Female Engagement Team.
The unit's Female Engagement Team mentored the three Province DoWAs on how to prepare and execute each council meeting. These meetings are meant to educate the Afghan government leaders on women's affairs and how to better meet the needs of the Afghan women.
Capt. Carla Getchell and Capt. Paula Thrush lead the Female Engagement Team in these three provinces of Afghanistan and enjoy the opportunity to work with the women.
"These women are stronger when they are united," said Getchell. "They can start working together to solve one another's problems."
[caption id="attachment_10733" align="alignright" width="300" caption="An Afghan woman takes notes during the first Tri-Provincial Women's Council meeting led by KYADT3's Female Engagement Team in Afghanistan."]
Future projects for the team include a honey bee and poultry training center, fish farm, cold storage, solar food drying, kitchen garden and livestock for villagers.
"I hope that these women will continue to work alongside each other to make their lives better in everything they get to
do," said Sgt. Claudia Rector, KYADT 3. "I hope that their courage is passed down to their daughters and granddaughters and that one day they will pick up the torch and run with it."