Shoulder to Shoulder: The Afghan Woman as the Primary Defender of the State

(Speech at the Graduation Ceremony of Female Cadets, National Police Academy)

Keypoints: 

• From Rhetoric to Reality: 400 women officers join the professional workforce.
• Family as Foundation: Families defy norms to support daughters’ service.
• Safety First: Zero tolerance for misconduct; Presidency guarantees dignity.
• Five Choices Vision: Inspire girls to see policing as a top career.
• Compassionate Justice: Women feel the marginalized’s pain, delivering true justice.
• Foundation of Peace: Lasting peace needs Afghan women defending rights.

Minister of Interior, First Lady, distinguished Generals, and brave officers of Afghanistan—especially our graduates, the light of our eyes, and our respected sisters and brothers: Asalmualikom! 

Welcome.

First, let me offer my heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to each of our graduates. We are immensely proud of you. Every step you take forward is a giant leap for the Afghan Woman. Today, your presence proves that the Afghan woman stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Afghan man as the primary defender of this sacred soil. God willing, the future of this nation will shine brighter for generations to come because of your hard work, sacrifice, and wisdom.

Second, I want to thank your families. Every family that has entrusted their daughter to the National Police today has made the entire nation their debtor. As your President, I thank your mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters from the bottom of my heart. The spirit your families have shown is the spirit that must guide our entire heroic nation.

Our people ask: "Who will protect our sisters and daughters?" That protection must come from our own daughters. If families do not send their daughters to join the force, how can this hope be realized? Just as families desire female doctors and engineers, they must follow the courageous example of your parents. Let us applaud these families! [Applause]

Third, I thank the Minister of Interior and the leadership of the Police Academy for moving beyond rhetoric. Action is far more powerful than words. Today, we celebrate over 400 women entering the ranks of our National Police.

I also thank our international partners—Turkey, the United Nations, Japan, the United States, and the Resolute Support Mission—for investing in your training. But my deepest thanks go to you. Despite cultural barriers, you made a brave, defiant decision. Thank you.

As you depart for your provinces, I leave you with two vital points:

1. A Safe and Equal Workplace I speak now to the Ministry and every male officer: Each of these women is like my own daughter. The First Lady and I are personally responsible for your safety. No misconduct will be tolerated. We must create a professional environment where, when a young girl in primary school is asked what she wants to be, "Police Officer" is in her top five choices. Minister, you must ensure that the equality promised by our Constitution is reflected in the reality of your workstations.

2. The Medicine of Justice Our country has suffered deeply, and the only medicine is Justice. Every citizen—rich or poor, young or old—who approaches you is seeking justice. You must be the living example of the Rule of Law. As the great poets Saadi and Rahman Baba said: "The government is the trunk of the tree, but the people are the roots." Without justice, the roots rot.

On the day I was inaugurated, I cited the sermon of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA): "Give me the strength to lift the weak and the power to straighten those who abuse their status." This is your historical duty. Defend the Constitution—our greatest national document—which is rooted in the principles of Islam and the highest standards of human rights.

A life of honor awaits you. We face great challenges, but the presence of women in our security forces is the foundation of a lasting peace. You feel the pain of the marginalized most acutely, and therefore, we expect more from you.

I congratulate you once again. May Allah grant you success in fulfilling the trust of this nation.

Long live Afghanistan!