Post date: May 13, 2013 5:5:13 PM
Women break in to the world of personal protection in Colombia, becoming bodyguards for those whose lives could be at risk.
LA CALERA, COLOMBIA (REUTERS) - In Colombia, the dangerous, adrenaline-packed work of a bodyguard has long been seen exclusively as a man's job. But not anymore.
Female bodyguards are in demand in the South American nation, where some clients prefer them over men. Nine Colombian women have joined the ranks of bodyguards at Colombia's National Protection Unit, where they are responsible for protecting the lives of those at risk."It's a topic that fascinates me, the issue of guns, and all the adrenaline and all that one needs, but also the preservation of life is an interesting topic and I think that as women we can bring great things to this work," said protection officer Laura Pineda.
She and other female bodyguards receive the same training as their male counterparts, including combat, nursing and first aid preparation.
Women still make up a small percentage of the bodyguards working at the government safety and security office. But those women who have signed on have excelled at their work, according to Rafael Perdomo, an instructor at the National Protection Unit.
"Their commitment is fundamental and their level of observation is even superior and it is interesting to see how they are disciplined and reserved with the issue of security," Perdomo said.
The unit saw the need to bring women into its ranks as protection officers as some expressed a desire to be protected by a woman. That includes women who were victims of abuse, families who need security for their underage children and others.
Andrés Villamizar Pachon, head of the National Protection Unit, said their work has been well received.
"The feedback we have received from those protected by a female bodyguard is excellent. They say that they are people who are very aware of their surroundings, very professional, very meticulous, very organized and very disciplined. I think that the fact that they face a sexist work environment traditionally dominated by men probably forces them to put forth additional effort to stand out and to demonstrate that women can do this equal to or better than men," he said.
Colombia's National Protection Unit provides security for at-risk individuals, including political opposition leaders, human rights activists, union leaders, journalists and others.