Some say there are two Afghanistans -
the one the world sees changing, and the hidden, scarier one that exists for women.

For decades, Afghan groups vying for power have used the role of women for their propaganda, trumpeting everything from modernization and progress to conservative fundamentalism.

In the historic 2005 general elections women streamed to the ballots, many despite threats, sending 91 women to parliament. Yet, many Afghans remain unaware of women’s rights to political participation, to earn an income, and to legally defend themselves against discrimination and domestic violence.

Listen to our Microfinance Program Director discuss how microcredit loans help women earn an income and support their families.

Afghan women and girls need freedom and equality.

The lack of health care and education makes Afghanistan one of the most dangerous places to be a mother with one in eight women dying from pregnancy related causes compared to one in 4,800 in the U.S. Most women remain ‘invisible’ and do not participate in public life. Although one million girls returned to school in 2002, some are still being attacked by militants who believe they should not be educated.

Click here to read the 2009 Afghanistan Country Report

What the World Often sees is the Positive News:

There is a new constitution that extends equality to women. 68 of the 249 seats in lower parliment are now reserved for women. 42% of women registered to vote in 2004 and but only 38% have registered for the upcoming August 20th, 2009, election where 2 women are running for President and 7 Vice Presidential candidates are women.

“Women are half of the society,” said Liloma, one of the skills trainers in Afghanistan, “and when women have the rights of decision-making then their opinions and decisions will be available.” 

But despite this progress Afghan women are facing enormous obstacles.

• 85.1% of women have no formal education
• 74% of girls drop out of school by 5th grade
• Only 1% of girls in rural communities attends school
• Nearly 79% of women are illiterate
• The average salary is just 48 cents a day
• On average, Afghan women give birth to 7 children
• 1 of every 62 women die during childbirth, and in some regions the number is as high as 1 in 16

The greatest danger?

Lack of security. Because conservative leaders use security concerns to justify returning to Taliban-era monitoring of women's movements and views. We can not let this happen again.

Women for Women International is Helping Create Brighter Futures for the Women of Afghanistan

At Women for Women International we are working each day to help women retain and grow their new found freedoms. In just 7 years we've helped nearly 20,000 women in 16 communities. We provided literacy training and important rights awareness training. Women get health and birth attendant training so they can bring basic health care to their communities.

Women are receiving important job skills training and literally transforming their lives and their family's lives by opening beauty parlors agriculture and farming, knitting, tailoring, jam production and more.

Through your support and donations, Women for Women International helped register women to vote in the historic democratic elections of 2004. Day by day we are giving women back their voice.

Your Help is the Key to Their Future

Perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, the women of Afghanistan are excited to join the programs offered by Women for Women International. They understand that education and job skills training will help them rebuild their lives.

Women for Women International is Working!

• More than 20,000 women served in 16 communities since 2002
• Provided $12.2 million in small loans to 51,000 women with a 98.9% repayment rate
• Taught 5,000 women to read and write
• Graduated 2,500 women in health training and birth attendance
• Launched the Men's Leadership Program in 2008 and have since trained 400 male leaders

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Sweeta Noori, Afghanistan Country Director

 

Letter to the Editor, New York Times, "Afghan Women's Progress"

The fact that women are making significant progress in some parts of Afghanistan is good news that confirms our own experience in the country.

The province of Bamian will benefit from women taking on new roles as breadwinners, peacekeepers and government leaders; indeed, the area’s relative stability indicates that it already has. In many other areas the change is far less visible and comes in small but significant steps, with women learning skills and finding opportunities to support their families.

 

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