Extreme poverty in rural Afghanistan hits women hardest, robbing them of their rights, their access to education, and even their good health.

Afghanaid knows that women with their own income are not only able to provide for their loved ones, they are also women with power – able to achieve their potential and command respect in their communities. That is why our Women's Economic Empowerment Programme offers vocational training and tools to unlock this potential and transform lives. 

 

One woman whose life has been transformed by this programme is Sabira. Without any vocational skills and very few opportunities for domestic work in her village, Sabira struggled to buy the necessities of life for her two young daughters. Afghanaid came to her village and offered the women the chance to learn a livelihood skill. She chose to learn tailoring and her life was transformed.

"For a long time we struggled. Before the project I could not even mend a hole in my own dress. Now I have used my new skills to launch a small business. Afghanaid gave me all the tools I needed to get started. With the money I make from selling dresses I can provide not only for my children but for my extended family too."  

"Thanks to Afghanaid’s training, I have gained my independence. I no longer have to rely on money from my husband; we support each other. I have saved enough money for a plot of land and we are building a family home."

Find out more about Afghanaid's work with women.