Allow Afghan women to give massages: army adviser
Published: 14 Dec 09 17:24 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23846/20091214/
A Swedish army gender adviser in Afghanistan has taken the Armed Forces to task for only employing local men to perform massages on troops stationed in Mazar-E-Sharif.
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"The agreement specifies, with no further explanation, that the physiotherapists (masseurs/masseuses) should be men," wrote Fahlstedt in his November submission.
The captain's investigations showed that the recommendation was followed to the letter, as two men were brought in to perform massages.
"It is the opinion of FS17 that there are no reasonable grounds for gender to be one of the profile requirements," he wrote.
Fahlstedt further stressed that his force was committed to strengthening the position of women in society by helping create the conditions in which they could become self-sufficient.
"It's not important as such whether women eventually get the job, what's important is that there's equality of opportunity and they are treated on the same terms as men," Fahlstedt told The Local.
"Contracts of this kind must always be gender neutral, and this is actually the only time I've seen an army contract worded in this way," he added.
Fahlstedt, active in both the Centre Party and the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL), returned earlier this month to Sweden from service with the FS17 force. He remains hopeful that the army will rectify the situation and begin considering the possibility of employing Afghan masseuses.
"I haven't received a formal response yet but I have been led to believe that the necessary changes will be made to the contract," he told The Local.
Paul O'Mahony
news@thelocal.se
08 656 6513
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Sarah, I have seen a few Afghan mens in Stockholm going a bout with Swedish women ;-)
I agree that cultural considerations should take first priority. You may return that can to the shelf.
A few Afghani men going about with Swedish women: this is one of the realities of immigration. This happens in all of the Nations of the world.
However, opening-up this last can of worms will have this blog flooded with pros and cons and all manner of hair-pulling and histrionics.
So, you may return that can, unopened, to the shelf as well.
nooo, no worms intended. I was only trying to make a point about the Swedish soldiers asking to have a soft female touch rather than a bearded guy with halotosis.
the bearded guy missile is bigger then the swedish soldier and your whole size,if interested take it as if it doesnt makes difference to youll.
Freaking good life.
yeah its true but the more specific truth is most of afgans,iraqi,irani,pakistani etc go out with them on purpose !! Not just for friendship !!
It's a WAR and Swedes have their panties in a wad Afghan women aren't getting equal opportunity as masseuses.
A perfect example of how western societies have become so liberal they no longer can defend themselves.
There are no Afghan female masseurs in the western meaning of the word. There are prostitutes who will offer a massage as part of the service.
Any Afghan women who massaged a man would be considered by her family and community to be a prostitute. She would be expelled from her home, and would never marry; a disaster to a woman in that part of the world. Her remaining life would be short and brutal. That is why the contract Captain Fahlstedt wants amended reads as it does.
I am sure the good Captain is doing his best, but he should be kept safely back in Sweden where he can do no real harm.
Hire local Massueses and Bar Tenders.
"Moral at the front has fallen like dung from a well-fed camel. Stories are told amongst the noble Talib firesides are of a new and horrible torture awaiting noble Talib fighters captured by the blond blue-eyed infidels from the land of IKEA. A special cadre known at Field Gender Advisers conduct interrogations of such horror, even our own esteemed noble torturers have much to learn from them. We are handed to these blonde devils by the Americans. Nothing the American beasts do compares with what comes next. Brutes known as Field Gender Advisers offer us ginger biscuits, and make us watch PowerPoint presentations entitled Transgender Rights in Combat Environments, and Lesbianism and the Military Structure. Later, noble Talib prisoners are forced to partake in satanic ceremonies called Fika and even offered services from fallen sisters called "masseuses". Noble Talib prisoners understandably become confused and disorientated by the blond devils known as Field Gender Advisers. They question their sexuality and begin to like quiche, even above dried goat meat. Field Gender Advisers have not yet been seen in the front lines, but noble Talib fighters shake with fear at the thought. How can noble Talib fighters resist such devils? The war is lost, out esteemed noble leaders must make peace before the mighty warriors known as Field Gender Advisers fall upon us all like the rabid beasts they are."
Yes, that helped get the local population slowly onside after the war. Just look at the number of British and American soldiers who came back with german brides at the end of the war. A lot of them stayed on in Germany.
On this the Swedes have the correct approach. The local population has to be engaged, not treated as an enemy.
That is how to win over the local population.
British soldiers give out chocolates to local kids in Afghanistan for good reason, to help win over the local population.
Win the local population and they win the war.
@ Kevin Harris
What are you on?????