In a first, 40 women issued driving licenses in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): For the first time, 40 women in southern Helmand province on Thursday received their car driving licenses after undergoing a practical training.

The 15-day car driving training for the women was launched on the occasion of Women’s International Day and was completed today.

Fatima, a participant of the training during her graduation today, told Pajhwok Afghan News that they received lessons about traffic rules during the 15-day program and she received her driving license today.

“It is important that women also learn car driving and traffic rules and have driving license because when there is an emergency patient at home and men are not present, women can help transfer the patient to hospital,” she said.

Gulalai, another woman who received her license, said her family allowed her to learn car driving and now she could drive car in the city.

Wajiha Rasouli, Helmand Women Affairs director, said, “Despite the fact that security situation in Lashkargah (the provincial capital) is not good for women to drive, it is their right which should be given to them.”

She said the Women Affairs Department had other similar programs for women, which would be launched in near future.

Mirza Khan Rohani, Helmand traffic director, said they launched the program as per suggestion of the Women Affairs Department and it was completed today.

He said they were ready to launch similar programs for other women who wanted to learn car driving. Rohani said they had previously issued licenses to 23 women individually.

mds/ma