New project to strengthen women's role in Herat

On the 20th August 2015, a new program funded by EuropeAid and World Vision was launched in Herat. The launch of the program, called “Enhancing Women’s Political and Civil Empowerment in Herat,” took place in the presence of Herat provincial Council’s representative, District governors of five districts, representative of the religious councils, representative of women councils from the districts, the Social Development and Advocacy Organisation (SDAO) and World Vision.

This program marks the start of a partnership between World Vision, EuropeAid and SDAO to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform in relation to women’s leadership and community-based roles in Herat province. Through community-based groups including influential civil and religious leaders, communities will be supported to identify the cultural barriers to women’s participation and to implement actions in changing attitudes and perceptions.

Jim Alexander, direction of World Vision's programmes in Afghanistan officially launched the program, provided background to the program, and urged the participants to work in partnership to achieve the program’s goal and objectives.  

“This program presents an exciting opportunity for a coalition of partners as represented here today, to empower Afghan women to take an equal part with men to promote and become active in civic engagement,” said Alexander.

The program cannot however succeed without the keen experience of implementing partner SDAO. “SDAO has good experience on women empowerment and I am sure we can enhance the women capacity in this regard,” said Mrs. Mozhgan Entezar

Patrick Thomas, another representative from World Vision commented “that the future of Afghanistan is made of programs like this one…by working together will be able to reach our targets and influence the lives of 542,000 people in Herat.”

Herat Provincial Council, Kabarzani, enthusiastically welcomed the idea of working directly with women to enhance women’s capacity to actively engage in political and civil affairs, he happily suggested the program to equally raise awareness of the men and women about each other’s rights.

“Women have rights to be involved in political issues and to take decision on behalf of the other women,” said Mr. Kabarzani, Provincial council member of Herat.

Supporting the comments made by Mr. Kabarzani, the department of religious will advise the religious scholars to preach and advocate rights of women during the Friday prayers to men.

“Once again I would promise full cooperation and support to World Vision Afghanistan with the project intervention,” said Mr. Housainin, Department of Religious council’s director.

World Vision is also supporting government and in particular the Department of Women’s Affairs to effectively implement the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan in Herat.

The program commenced on the 1 August 2015 and will operate for two years in five districts of Herat and is made possible through funding from EuropeAid and World Vision.