USAID/OTI Support for Afghanistan Women
USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) has given priority to support for Afghan women as part of its broader strategy to support the democratic transition in Afghanistan. To date, OTI has spent approximately $1.1 million on projects that directly affect the lives of women and girls.
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| Afghan woman holding an OTI-supplied radio. |
OTI provided $125,000 to help rehabilitate of the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs building complex and provision of technical assistance for the Ministry through OTI's implementing partner, International Organization for Migration (IOM). Initial funding supported the removal of rubble from the auditorium, provided office equipment for eleven offices, and provided technical advisors to assist the Ministry in developing programs.
This three-phase rehabilitation project offered visible signs of support for the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the inclusive policy of the Government of Afghanistan toward women. Rehabilitation of the building created a venue for the Ministry's ceremonial meetings for the International Woman's Day Conference, which the Ministry hosted in Kabul on March 8, 2002.
OTI provided assistance to rehabilitate the offices of Ariana, a national women's non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Kabul. Ariana provides educational and vocational courses to women and girls of many age groups. OTI's assistance enhanced Ariana's work with the Ministry of Women's Affairs and its ability to provide training and educational courses. On March 8, 2002, Ariana held a graduation service at its renovated offices for all the women who passed through its underground educational service during the Taliban regime. To highlight the significance of this event, the Minister of Women's Affairs attended the ceremony and presented certificates to the graduates.
OTI also provided two grants to the Afghan Women's Network (AWN), another national women's NGO. The first grant helped AWN identify the needs and priorities of women and families throughout Afghanistan. The second grant helped AWN train 30 refugee and internally displaced women in management skills. OTI's support was designed to help AWN enhance the participation of women in the emerging political process, as well as to build the capacity of program participants to help them achieve economic independence.
In addition, OTI supported the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) to help encourage Afghan women and girls to learn to read by providing them with access to libraries. OTI's two grants to ACBAR supported a literacy campaign and nine public libraries within eight provinces.
Finally, OTI provided a grant to the Association for the Disabled in Taloqan. With OTI funds, the association established an office for training its members in cobbling, blacksmithing, sewing, knitting and carpentry. The association is for men and women and has 400 members.
OTI plans to increase its support for Afghan women over the coming months as it expands its field presence.
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