20141111 | Norway negotiates all-female facility at Camp Lion | ISAF International Security Assistance Force

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11/11/2014 5:57 PM
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11/13/2014 6:10 AM

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Brigadier Gen. Gordana Garasic, Gender Advisor, International Security Assistance Force,
recently visited Camp Lion to examine newly acquired facilities to be used by female team
members from Afghanistans Crisis Response Unit 222. The compound was recently handed
over to the Ministry of Interior by the Norwegian government and was formerly used as a
mentor camp by the Norwegian Special Operations Advisory Team.
By Ryan M. Blaich
ISAF Headquarters
Camp Lion is located on the military side of Kabul International Airport. It is home to Afghanistans Critical
Response Unit 222 and overseen by Afghan General Command of Police Special Unit.. The mentor camp
was established in 2007 and renovated in 2012.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Norwegian Transparency Trust Fund commanders,
Afghan unit commanders, and the Afghan MoI Senior Representative. The MoU established, the
Norwegian Mentor Camp is handed over to CRU 222 with the intention to establish a female facility area
and utilize part of the camp as an operational planning space in order to increase CRU 222 possibility to

and utilize part of the camp as an operational planning space in order to increase CRU 222 possibility to
fulfill Minister of Interior gender integration intention and enhance CRU 222 operational capabilities.
This marks the first time gender integration has played a defining role in negotiations in the transfer of a
military facility. The agreement highlights both Norways and Afghanistans commitment to incorporate
women into the Afghan National Security Forces.
Garasic said the female team members have been living and working out of a single room on the camp,
despite conducting day and night raids alongside their male counterparts. She also stated that this facility
will go a long way in confirming the value of womens role in operational effectiveness.
It's good when women in the ANSF can say, 'I have a really good job. I have a really good working and
training environment. I am respected. I have my own facilities. We are safe here, Garasic said.
The visit was led by Maj. Gen. Shirzad, GCPSU commander, who expressed his willingness to keep the
area dedicated to women in the CRU 222, even constructing an extra barrier wall around the facility,
which would provide an extra layer of protection for the female team members.
The facility provides enough living space for 30 women and is move-in ready. It has a full kitchen,
washing machines, a gym, showers, and a lounge area. Several female team members expressed
excitement in having their own space and hoped to start moving into rooms in a few days.
Gender integration is high on NATO's agenda and is a major part of the coalitions Resolute Support
Mission, which will focus on training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces. Additionally, one
of the primary military objectives is to make sure Afghan security institutions act in accordance with the
Rule of Law, respect human rights, and gender equality.
I think this human rights and women's rights topic is starting to blossom here. We are at the beginning
of a process that will not go backwards, Garasic said. Its very encouraging.