Lady-Guards: A New Face for Security

By Sumayyah Meehan

December 16, 2009

Who could ever forget the allure of Kevin Costner protecting Whitney Houston in the movie “The Bodyguard”, which romanticized a life-endangering career way back in the 90s? Bodyguards, for the most part, have been a staple amongst the rich and famous primarily in America as well as Europe for decades. However, the bodyguard business is booming in some parts of the Middle East now as well, as more and more of the wealthy elite are finding that they need protection in the often tumultuous region. This trend holds especially true for wealthy Arab women in the region who need to amp up their security as their personas skyrocket.

Still, in the conservative Middle East, it would be politically incorrect, and downright scandalous, for a male bodyguard to be charged with protecting a female client. According to the Middle East Online, a private security firm called the Falcon Group was launched in Egypt back in 2006. It was the very first company in the region to create a division known as ‘ladyguards’. The company employs 3,800 security personnel with approximately 300 of its guards being female. The female bodyguards go through rigorous training which includes martial arts education and surveillance instruction.

In other words, cue up your “Kill Bill” soundtrack, because these feisty ladies are nothing to be messed with. The prerequisites for a female looking to go into the bodyguard business in Egypt are actually pretty tough. They must speak fluent English, have a background in martial arts and possess a higher education. Clad in an all- black uniform, and sometimes the Islamic headscarf, these female bodyguards are a force to be reckoned with as they protect their charges from bodily harm or even unwanted affection such as catcalling.

The ladyguard wave is catching on fast as Egyptian actresses, pop singers, princesses and rich businesswomen are just a few of the high profile women looking for a little backup from a female, albeit armed and dangerous, counterpart. Several other Mideast countries, not to be outdone by their rich neighbors, are also turning up their own brands of ladyguards. In Dubai, for example, there is a special VIP task force that is made up of six female bodyguards who are dispatched to protect the wives of visiting foreign dignitaries. And let’s not forget about our eternal favorite Moamer Gaddafi, the Libyan leader who is the ‘Godfather’ of female security personnel. Gaddafi has had his very own female security force for years. He must be so thrilled the trend is finally catching on.

Photo: “The Amazons” – Gaddafi’s female bodyguards – THIBAULT CAMUS/AFP/Getty Images