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Afghanistan Women’s Community Support Project – Phase II
Where: Kabul, Afghanistan
Local partner: Afghanistan Women Council (AWC) (www.afghanistanwomencouncil.org)
Donor: CIDA
Women and girls are the most vulnerable to poverty and the lack of security in Afghanistan. Many of them face severe social, political and economic discrimination. Lack of access to health care and education, exposure to violence and limited economic opportunities are further challenges that continue to limit women’s advancement.
War Child Canada has been working in partnership with the Afghanistan Women Council since 2001. Women participants, mainly widows and young mothers, are selected based on their economic and social vulnerability as well as their willingness to learn new skills and receive an education. Women are engaged in basic education including modules on literacy, math, health education, history, parenting skills, conflict resolution, the environment, community leadership and rehabilitation, human rights, women’s rights and reconciliation.
Phase II of this project includes a microfinance component for women who have graduated from Phase I of the project. The microfinance program includes courses on managing money and running a small business, as well as training in ten different trades. Women are encouraged to specialize in one or two trades and are provided with small loans to begin their businesses.
Quick background facts:
Afghanistan has experienced over twenty years of near constant war.
The Taliban regime, which was in power from 1996 to 2001, has been widely condemned for gross human rights abuses and for severely restricting the rights of women.
According to United Nations reports, Afghan women’s literacy rates are at 21 percent, far below the national average.
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