Interview with a female ex-combatant

As Afghanistan’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme entered its second year in early November, over 20,000 of approximately 60,000 Afghan militia forces (AMF) have been disbanded and reintegrated into civilian life. While some disarmed soldiers are finding post-military it difficult to earn a living, many others have found new livelihoods through the UN-backed multi million-dollar Afghanistan New Beginning Programme (ANBP), the official name for the DDR process. Bubany Khairandesh is a disarmed female ex-combatant, who became a shopkeeper after a two-week business-training programme within the DDR process. The 35-year-old mother of five, who had worked as a military officer for more than 10 years in different Afghan army regiments, counts as the first female disarmed combatant. She started military life in 1990 and worked as a non-commissioned officer. From among the reintegration options provided by ANBP, she selected small business. Bubany has received US $700 from ANBP as start-up capital and opened a store in the capital, Kabul, that sells women’s accessories and make-up, as well as videocassettes and CDs. QUESTION: Why did you become a military woman in the conservative Afghan society? ANSWER: Well, from my childhood I liked to have a military uniform on and always wanted to be in the army. When I joined the army in the early 1990s it was not very dangerous and yet not seen as bad to be a female military officer. Q: How do you feel now that you have been decommissioned? How would you now earn a living for your children? A: I think it was a right decision. I have selected business and just finished a two-week training course on business and marketing by AGF [a German aid agency]. I see a big change in my life. Now I will be dealing with people and selling cosmetics instead of dealing with bullets. It [the work] is interesting but I find it difficult because being a saleswoman or a shopkeeper in a store is not very common [in Afghanistan]. People think it is shameful to be a female shopkeeper. Q: Why did you choose to run a shop among other reintegration choices? A: Well, being a female combatant is not very common in this country, also being a businesswoman is something very challenging in the conservative Afghan society. I personally enjoy having a challenging job. I am sure with the help of my eldest son, who will be with me in the shop, I will make a good living. I would have loved to join the Afghan National Army training but I was not offered this option because it is only for male ex-combatants. Q: Have you ever participated in any military operations and used any weapons? A: Not directly. We [female military women] have always been in the background and I used to supply uniforms and other clothing and logistics. Over the recent years I only worked in offices. I have been trained to use an AK-47 machinegun and I delivered my gun in the DDR process. Q: What is your opinion on the current DDR process? A: It is a very good process and the prosperity of our nation and country is linked to it. But, unfortunately it is too slow. Also it must prioritise militia forces rather than professional officers. For example, all the people in our regiment were trained and educated and could still be of some use. While thousands of militia forces loyal to local commanders who are making trouble for people are still powerful in rural areas. Meanwhile, the reintegration package is not sufficient, it is very difficult to start a business with such a small amount. Q: What is your message to other women who are still in the military units? A: The country still needs women in the police force and army. So I would suggest that women who are still in armed groups or military units should join police and army training and become part of the new Afghan trained force. In conservative Afghan society, we need a lot of women in the police and army. It would be a privilege and, God willing, I would also think of rejoining a trained and proper army once my business flourishes.