Brechin Nurse Lisa Helps Afghanistan’s Women

A mother who usually works as a paediatric nurse at Tayside Children’s Hospital in Dundee is spending six months working in a very different environment – on the front line of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Captain Lisa Irwin. Crown Copyright 2011.

Territorial Army soldier, Captain Lisa Irwin (42), has deployed on operational tour with 16 Air Assault Brigade, as a Female Engagement Team commander.

In general, British troops in Afghanistan are responsible for driving out the insurgency and improving security for the local population, while at the same time training up their Afghan counterparts who are increasingly taking over responsibility for maintaining security in their own country.

But Lisa’s role is more specialised: her task is to engage with Afghan women in order to gain their trust and help them, and so that they may in turn influence their male relatives. Cultural norms in Afghanistan mean that male soldiers are unable to engage with Afghan women, so Lisa plays a crucial role.

As Female Engagement Team commander, Lisa sometimes works as an individual and sometimes enlists the help of other female soldiers deployed in Helmand to assist her work.

Lisa said:

“In the past, British forces have not been able to engage with Afghan women, which has meant that we have not been communicating with 50 per cent of the population. My role enables us to engage with women, help them and directly advise and influence them.

“My civilian qualifications and experience enable me to bring lots of different strands to the role and the job is constantly varied and interesting. I am able to get out on the ground, meet the people of Helmand province and, hopefully, ultimately make a difference.”

Recently Lisa participated in a three-day operation which involved her and other troops being inserted into an area by helicopter under cover of darkness, searching compounds and patrolling the area.

Capt Lisa Irwin at work, meeting Afghan families. Crown Copyright 2011.

She explained:

“I speak a small amount of Pashto, the local language, and was therefore able to have limited conversations. I managed to engage with 22 Afghan women.

“I am also participating in a health initiative where we train local health professionals and teachers about health education so that they can then train others. My role necessitates me moving all around our area of operations and regularly patrolling with the guys in order to be able to meet local women.”

This is Lisa’s second tour of Afghanistan – and she is nothing if not versatile. On her previous tour, in 2008, she worked as a senior mechanic in an HGV repair workshop, fixing and maintaining vehicles. Lisa joined the Territorial Army in 1986 but only commissioned as an officer earlier this year, having previously worked her way up through the non-commissioned ranks. Her TA career has also seen her serve abroad in Belize, as well as carry out duties around the UK.

Lisa said:

“I would like to say thanks to everyone at home for their support – especially my wonderful parents who have stepped up to care for my children whilst I am away. Without the support of my family none of this would be possible. Being away from them is without doubt the most difficult aspect of the tour.”

Lisa returns home in April.

Capt Lisa Irwin writes a regular blog on the British Army website which can be found by clicking HERE