Female soldiers in Helmand - in pictures

Lieutenant Jessica French (right) and Captain Anna Crossley spent six months going into villages and small settlements to talk to the women and try to earn their trust. French speaks to a local woman
Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Crossley heads out to join soldiers from 3 Rifles as they prepare for a patrol to help her gain access to a village compound, where she can try to speak to the women in the tight-knit community. Male soldiers are forbidden from going into the compounds Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Crossley speaks the Pashtun language which helps her to gain access to compounds, and the women that live inside them. She often pretends to have what she refers to as a 'Helmand husband', to boost her rapport with the women who do not understand the concept of remaining unmarried Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Crossley joins a patrol to see whether she can access a local Afghan compund, in the hope that she may meet women and children. Crossley and French said they met some incredibly brave women, some of whom were putting their lives at risk either by speaking out, or deciding to work. A few have even joined the local police. Photograph: Alison Baskerville

At the Kabul Military Training Centre Afghan female recruits take part in a 20-week course with the hope of becoming an officer in the Afghan National Army. Captain Susanna Wallis is a Royal Signals Officer who has volunteered to mentor these women Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Captain Alice Homer of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers has just spent six months running a section of soldiers in Camp Bastion Photograph: Alison Baskerville

A bucket is the only way to keep clothes clean at Forward Operating Base Oulette in the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand Photograph: Alison Baskerville

French takes time between patrols to clean her personal weapon Photograph: Alison Baskerville

There is little privacy within the checkpoints and patrol bases of Helmand. The women use their mosquito tents to provide some personal space, often decorating them with gifts from loved ones Photograph: Alison Baskerville

At the end of her tent, French and the other female soldiers have created a lounge
Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Toiletries are often requested items in care parcels sent from friends and family Photograph: Alison Baskerville

French will return home to her boyfriend and family. She is also looking forward to getting back into her favourite sport, sky diving Photograph: Alison Baskerville

Crossley arrives home at RAF Brize Norton after a seven-month tour and is met by her father Alan and mother Carol Photograph: Alison Baskerville