Help people in Afghanistan: Afghanistan presents one of the most challenging environments globally for women to assert their identities. Political turmoil, economic instability, educational disparities, pervasive sexual violence, and inadequate healthcare disproportionately affect Afghan women and children. Nonetheless, with access to robust vocational and economic resources, women have the power to transform their lives irrespective of their circumstances.

We are urgently responding to the needs of vulnerable women in Afghanistan, and your support is crucial.

Currently, 90% of women in Herat Province live below the poverty line, with the region suffering from the highest incidence of domestic violence nationwide. The recent earthquake has only compounded the hardships faced by women in this area.

Reports indicate up to 2,000 deaths and numerous injuries, with a significant proportion being women and girls. The Zinda Jan District, where all homes were demolished, has left approximately 300,000 people displaced.

Local partners: Help people in Afghanistan

In collaboration with local partners, we are providing essential support including shelter, clothing, hygiene kits, and mental health services. Join us in reaching out to women in their time of dire need.

Your emergency contribution will aid our local partners in Herat to swiftly provide essential assistance to women. Your support will facilitate:

1. Provision of temporary shelter and housing.

2. Distribution of hygiene kits containing soap and reusable menstrual pads.

3. Supply of blankets and warm clothing.

4. Implementation of psychosocial support and trauma counseling services.

5. Assistance tailored to women with disabilities.

Moreover, your generosity will contribute to the long-term recovery of women affected by these earthquakes. Our initiatives include involving women in reconstruction efforts, creating economic opportunities, and launching our flagship program, Stronger Women, Stronger Nations, in 2024. Your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of Afghan women, empowering them to rebuild and thrive.

Afghan women social and economic landscape

In contemporary Afghanistan, the social and economic landscape for Afghan women has deteriorated significantly:

Economic instability, widespread sexual violence, and limited access to healthcare resources have become rampant among Afghan women following the erosion of their freedoms and safeguards.

Instances of domestic abuse, early and forced marriages, and abductions are prevalent, often without any accountability for the perpetrators.

According to UNESCO’s February 2023 report, 2.5 million school-aged girls and young women in Afghanistan are not enrolled in school.

The ban imposed by the de facto government in 2022 resulted in 1.2 million individuals being barred from accessing higher education and secondary schools.

“After the takeover of Afghanistan by the de facto government, our training center was shut down, and it was an incredibly painful experience for me.”

The departure of foreign troops and the establishment of the de facto government have further weakened Afghanistan’s economy. Coupled with severe droughts, the collapse of government services, and the cessation of foreign aid, over 70% of Afghans now struggle to provide for their families and meet daily needs. According to the United Nations Development Programme, an estimated 97% of the population is at risk of falling below the poverty line.

In the report titled “No One Hears Our Voices,” Afghan women and women’s rights organizations share their perspectives on living under Afghanistan’s new de facto government and express their aspirations for the future. Through their own words, these women call for the protection of women’s rights, greater inclusion in public life, urgent economic assistance, and solidarity from the international community.

Report: “Where I Am Going and Where I Am” – Exploring the Personal and Professional Landscape for Afghan Women Human Rights Defenders Outside Afghanistan

Our Efforts in Afghanistan: Help people in Afghanistan

Despite the upheaval in women’s rights across the nation, we continue to witness extraordinary resilience among the women we support as they strive for self-reliance and economic autonomy.

Since 2002, our organization has been active in five provinces of Afghanistan. Participants in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations program (SWSN) undergo vocational training in fields such as animal husbandry, tailoring, and knitting. They also engage in savings and self-help groups and receive guidance on business investment, including stipends to support their endeavors. This comprehensive curriculum equips them with the skills needed to generate income, build savings, and advocate for their rights. They are also empowered by local staff to assert their rights, influence decision-making within their households, and drive positive change within their communities.

“Today, I feel blessed. I have established my own business and have become a financially independent woman.”

In response to the events surrounding the takeover of Kabul in 2021, we temporarily halted our programming to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable staff and their families, facilitating their evacuation. For those remaining, we provided essential mental health support to navigate the distressing and uncertain circumstances.

Towards the end of the preceding year, Afghan women experienced significant setbacks to their rights and freedoms. On December 21, 2022, the de facto authorities enforced a ban prohibiting women from attending universities, a devastating blow for many women amidst their ongoing examinations. Just three days later, on December 24, another ban was announced, this time prohibiting women from working for foreign aid organizations.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our locally led team, we secured special permission from the de facto authorities for our female staff to finalize the distribution of $60 cash assistance to our program participants. This assistance enables women to invest in their small businesses, engage in income-generating activities, or address urgent needs. By late January 2022, our SWSN program had resumed operations in four provinces.

Our contribution

Since 2002, we have positively impacted the lives of 130,226 Afghan women. In 2022 alone, 1,900 women enrolled in the Stronger Women, Stronger Nations program, with 1,041 previously enrolled participants successfully graduating.

Key achievements include:

– 67% of women participating in household decisions regarding earning money, compared to 43% at enrollment.

– Women, on average, increased household savings to $28.24, compared to $.16 at enrollment.

– 16% of women reported engaging in discussions about community issues with other women, compared to 8% at enrollment.

Additionally, our local team has reached out to 6,677 men through our Men’s Engagement Program, fostering greater community involvement and support for women’s empowerment initiatives.