Noor Gal women receive vet training

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Twelve local women, escorted by the Afghan National Police, arrived at the Noor Gal District Center Jan. 15 for veterinary training from the Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team.

The man who made it possible was Noor Gal Subgovernor Ramatullah Himat, who opened the district center to the women, ensured the event’s security and provided general support for the training.

In opening remarks, Himat applauded the courage of the women in attendance and encouraged them to share what they learned to others.

“It was very brave of you to come here today, and I promise you will be safe here,” Himat said. “This training is very important because women tend the animals, and you will be able to help them care for the animals better.”

The Iowa ADT’s veterinary professionals, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Darla Sheasley of Everly, Iowa, and U.S. Army Maj. Loren Adams of New Liberty, Iowa, provided the training, which covered topics including common livestock parasites and pests and how to treat them, rabies control and prevention, as well as common animal medications and how to administer them.

Adams, the ADT’s veterinary officer, called the Noor Gal training session “a night and day difference” from a previous effort in the Sarkani District.

“When we tried to conduct women’s veterinary training at Sarkani, we had to relocate to a nearby girls school, and there wasn’t much support at the district level,” Adams said. “Here, thanks to the subgovernor, we’ve got plenty of room, and the women are even getting a tea break and lunch.”

Sheasley, the ADT’s veterinary technician, noted another “big difference” between the Sarkani and Noor Gal training sessions.

“The women here today are very well educated,” Sheasley said. “At Sarkani, we had more attendees, but not many were literate, so that limited what we could teach them. These folks will be able take this material and teach other women.”

One of the women at the Noor Gal event was Saeema, an instructor at a nearby girls high school. Saeema, who spoke fluent English, brought four of her older students to the veterinary training. She noted that she had just returned to Afghanistan after living for many years in Pakistan.

“Women in Afghanistan must be educated, and that is why I came back. But first, the situation had to be secure enough for me to do so,” Saeema said. “This training is very good, and I am happy my students and I were able to attend it.”

Himat expressed his belief in the training’s value many times throughout the day. However, Himat also emphasized holding the training at the district center demonstrated the ability of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to provide security to all its citizens.

“I want the people to know when they come here, they will be safe,” Himat said. “I hope one day women in Kunar Province will be able to come out of their homes without fear for their security.”

Nasima Sadat, Kunar Director of Women’s Affairs, also attended the veterinary training in Noor Gal. She has an advanced degree from a Russian university and praised the training’s effectiveness.

“I am an educated woman, and I learned things I didn’t know today,” Sadat said. “I know the women here today learned much. They will be able to teach to others.”