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 62 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.
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.
What the World Often sees is the Positive News:
There is a new constitution that extends equality to women. 25% of the seats in lower Parliament are now reserved for women. 65% of women registered to vote in 2004 and in 2005 thousands of women risked their lives to cast ballots – electing an unprecedented 62 women to Parliament.
“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 out of 8 women die from causes related to pregnancy or child birth
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.
Help Change the Life of a Woman Like Azada Today.
Azada was the third wife of an Afghan car dealer who went back and forth between wives. “I endured the cruelty of my husband because I didn’t have other choices,” says Azada. With the help of Women for Women International, Azada received rights awareness training and also learned a trade to help her earn a feasible income. “I never thought that one day I would have the opportunity to support myself without a man,” she says. “Now I can do it. I am doing it!”
Help a woman like Azada right now.
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 5 years we've helped nearly 10,000 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 (a real favorite!), 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
Outreach
Sweeta Noori, Afghanistan Country Director
Letter to the Editor, New York Times, "Afghan Women's Progress"
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.
