Afghan policewoman hosts women's radio show

By Staff Sgt. Shane HamannFebruary 26, 2013

Afghan policewoman hosts women's radio show
Afghan Uniform Police Capt. Noorul Hayat (center) discusses planned topics with the "Voice of Spin Boldak" radio station disc jockeys near Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2013. Hayat is the only female Afghan Uniform Police memb... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan (Feb. 26, 2013) -- The only female Afghan Uniformed Police member in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, guest hosted a women's call-in show to answer questions from local women and help recruit more women to the force, Feb. 21.

The "Voice of Spin Boldak" radio station has broadcast the women's show called "Light of the House," every Thursday, for seven months. The show serves as an outlet for local women to voice concerns and interact with government officials regarding issues that affect them.

Capt. Noorul Hayat, the female Afghan Uniformed Police, or AUP, member that guest hosted, answered questions about joining the AUP and Afghan Border Police and encouraged females in the Spin Boldak district to join.

"Here we don't have any females," said Hayat. "That's why I do the radio interview because it's going to help some of the females that want to joint the ABP. We found five females that really want to join [Afghan Border Police] and AUP. It's going to take them a little bit of time but they are going to hire them."

Although Hayat serves with the AUP, she works regularly with the Afghan Border Police at the border crossing point near Spin Boldak and has been responsible for seizing large amounts of contraband crossing the border, said Zubidah Fedaie, the show's weekly host and linguist for the Combined Task Force 2-23 (2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment) Civil Affairs Team.

"We need a lot females in the border area for searching," said Hayat. "The male soldiers can't search the females."

Being the only female police officer in the area allows Hayat to address unique questions on the show. The callers ask about salaries, education requirements and application procedures. Calls to the show increase when she is a guest and the station receives around 40 calls during the hour-long show.

"When she is here we get more calls," said Fedaie. "Especially from females."

Ultimately, Hayat's belief in serving her country leads her to reach out through the call-in show to other women who may have the same desire. The small radio station, broadcasting to one of the most rural areas in Afghanistan, has helped her see that she is not alone.

"I am completely surprised with the radio show today," said Hayat. "This is a great accomplishment for the women of Spin Boldak."

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