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  • 16 NOVEMBER 2024
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Kenya has its first female Air Force commander

Major-General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed becomes the first woman in the country's history to head one of the country's military services.

Kenya has its first female Air Force commander
Notícias ao Minuto

22:11 - 02/05/24 por Notícias ao Minuto

Mundo Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed

Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed Major-General Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the air force commander, making her the first woman in the country's history to lead one of the military services.

The BBC News reports that the major-general was appointed alongside other top military officials, including a new chief of the armed forces, following the death of the military chief and others in a helicopter crash last month.

Lieutenant-General Charles Kahariri was promoted to the vacant position, while Major-General Ahmed became the first woman to attain the rank of major-general.

She joined the military in 1983, serving in the Women Service Corps, an all-female unit that operated separately from the other branches of the defence forces.

It was an auxiliary service that provided support roles such as administration, logistics, medical and communications.

The unit was disbanded in 1999 and it was only then that its members were allowed to join the mainstream military services – the navy, air force and army.

The absorption of the unit created more opportunities for women to serve in military roles and also allowed women like Major-General Ahmed to rise through the ranks.

Her rise has been seen as a milestone in promoting gender equality in the military.

Read Also: HRW. Kenya failed to act in time to respond to devastating floods (Portuguese version)

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