(18 July 2017) Training for Afghan women continue to run thanks to Italian soldiers. After about 10 days of theoretical and practical training, the first aid course for the Herat Penitentiary Police agents was concluded, resulting in 20 policemen authorised to perform first aid in case Emergency defibrillators are needed. The course held at Camp Arena, the headquarters of the Train Advice Assist Command West (TAAC-W), currently with the Alpine Brigade Taurinense, was developed under the Carabinieri Police Advising Team (PAT) training programme and Medical and Paramedical staff of the Army and Navy of the Italian base field hospital. (ROLE 2). The programme included basic human anatomy as well as techniques and practical intervention procedures in case of serious life threatening conditions, severe cardiac-respiratory attacks, and connected defibrillator use (BLS-D). The goal of this course, strongly demanded by the director, was to enable a primary group of agents who will then be able to instruct their colleagues at the Penitentiary Institute. Colonel Sima Pazmhan, one of the first women to become a police officer in Afghanistan, thanked the Italian soldiers for the continued collaboration and solidarity with Afghan women, including the many projects in Herat's female penitentiary over the years. Brigadier General Massimo Biagini, commander of TAAC-W, upon his meeting with Colonel Pazhman and a delegation that attended the course, confirmed the availability of the Italian contingent to contribute to the training of young recruits whose courage and determination he strongly highlighted. (Red)

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Activities for women in Afghanistan, carried out under gender projects, are developed in all Train, and Advise and Assist, which are currently carried out by TAAC West advocates for Afghan security forces, in order to make them more autonomous in managing professional development of their staff. Further goals include: training new instructions and "specialists" on intelligence, handling IEDs, mortars and artillery, airspace control and more through targeted courses, seminars, and symposia. All efforts are focused on the organisational development and functionality of local security forces, in order to achieve an adequate level of sustainability.