Kuwait's Dana Al-Shlein Becomes First Female Military Pilot After Training in Greece

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced the deployment of First Lieutenant Dana Nasser Al-Shlein to Greece for aviation studies, making her the first Kuwaiti woman to pilot a military aircraft. This initiative underscores Kuwait's commitment to empowering women and enhancing their participation in various security sectors.

The deployment was facilitated by the General Directorate of the Police Aviation Wing, part of the Ministry of Interior, where she will undergo advanced practical and academic training in police aviation. This marks a pioneering step within Kuwait's military institutions.

Official Support for Women's Empowerment

Colonel Pilot Salem Al-Shahab, head of the Police Aviation Wing, stated to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA):
"This deployment embodies the state's vision to empower women and strengthen their participation across various security sectors, keeping pace with modern developments in military and security fields."

Parachuting Experience

Dana is a member of the Ministry of Interior's skydiving team, established in 2018 under Colonel Maritime Mubarak Ali Al-Yusuf Al-Sabah. She is Kuwait's first exhibition skydiver, having completed over 250 jumps and earned three skydiving licenses. Dana has participated in local exhibitions and festivals, including a parachute descent during the graduation ceremony of the 47th officer class in February, attended by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, marking a significant achievement for Kuwaiti women in the military sector.

Advancements for Kuwaiti Women

Since gaining political rights in 2005, Kuwaiti women have actively sought leadership roles and increased representation in public life. In 2009, women were permitted to join the police across most sectors of the Ministry of Interior. In 2020, a Kuwaiti woman became a judge for the first time, a position that had been exclusively held by men for years. Dana Al-Shlein's training in Greece is a historic milestone that reflects the ongoing empowerment of Kuwaiti women and their expanding roles in security and military fields.