According to Pakistani lore, being a pioneer carries with it a certain honor and the responsibility of paving the way for those who follow. The first raindrop, the first to take action, is considered a brave pioneer, committed and determined to change the conditions for others to thrive.
Since 2013, the number of Pakistani female military personnel participating in the International Military Education and Training Program (IMET) has increased significantly. Sponsored by the State Department, the program funds international military students to attend U.S. military training and education courses and aims to build military-to-military relationships with partner nations.
In Pakistan, these women are the first raindrops, diving into military training and educational courses to further their professional development and lay the foundation for many more to follow.
ODRP’s IMET program managers, Raja Ali and Nasir Ayub, advocate for and support the professional development of women in the Pakistan Army.
Joined by Saba Javed, ODRP’s first female field staff member, the team is working hard to encourage the military and Ministry of Defense to send more women to the United States for training and education courses.
Between 2020 and 2023, 55 women are taking the IMET course, more than double the 22 women who participated between 2013 and 2019.
Additionally, for the past two consecutive years, Pakistan has led the region in sending female military officers to attend courses in the U.S. The women have undergone specialized courses focusing on topics such as counter-terrorism and counter-piracy, military justice, information technology, cyber strategy, public affairs, gender-based violence and healthcare-related issues.
Both women attended the US Naval Postgraduate School and earned MBAs in financial management. Another student from the Judicial Commission returned to Pakistan and took up a train-the-trainer position, tasked with updating the Pakistani curriculum.
Moreover, two women officers will get admission into teachers colleges in Pakistan this year and will also be eligible to join teachers colleges in the US.
Women are joining the Pakistan Army’s combat arms, female officers are taking professional military education courses, and returning to the ranks to run for leadership positions. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Raja, Nasir and the ODRP team, the raindrops are falling more abundantly and professional development opportunities for Pakistan’s female military personnel are blossoming.
