Women of Islam Soar in the Skies of South Asia

Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:21 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Lieutenant Nilofor Rhmani became the first Afghan female pilot to fly solo in a military aircraft in over 30 years, symbolizing a new era of women's empowerment in the Afghan air force.
Colonel Latifa Nabizada, an experienced "Old Guard" pilot, stands as Afghanistan's only fully mission-capable female Air Force pilot, having rejoined after the Taliban's ouster and flown numerous dangerous missions.
In Pakistan, Hina Tahir became the first female fighter pilot, demonstrating a significant shift in the Pakistani military towards more prominent roles for women, with seven now serving in combat roles.
These pioneering female aviators in Afghanistan and Pakistan serve as powerful symbols of courage and progress, inspiring women in South Asia and challenging traditional patriarchal norms, especially against the backdrop of Taliban oppression.