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Latifa Nabizada’s daughter often goes to work with her helicopter pilot mum. Malalai has flown over 300 missions because the Afghan air force has no childcare facility. Family friendly workplaces take on a whole new dimension when going to work with a parent means heading to the frontline.
In some ways Latifa’s story is heroic. To be a Colonel in the military takes some doing. To achieve this as a woman in a strongly male dominated culture is something of a triumph. Latifa deserves credit for her achievements.
However, like many heroic stories, this one has a fatal flaw. An irritant that can turn the story inside out and upside down making it hard to understand at face value, and making sure it gets under our skin.
In this story the hero has to risk, and perhaps sacrifice, her child’s life in the pursuit of what she considers the greater good. Shades of the Christian crucifixion story.
Sande Ramage is an Anglican priest and blogger
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