Women's Empowerment Group
Women's Empowerment Group
Since its founding in 1995, one of AIL’s major goals has been to provide programs to educate, train and empower women. A number of Afghan women have now earned university, masters and doctorate degrees. In 2018, Dr. Yacoobi decided to begin working with a number of these educated women working in various positions in Herat Province to assist them to become better leaders, have more influence in the country and learn to work together for common goals. Initially, 80 women between the ages of 25 and 50 with university degrees were invited to attend this new AIL Women’s Empowerment Class. Many of the women also had Masters or Doctorate degrees. There were university professors, doctors, lawyers, judges, journalists, poets, teachers, researchers, business owners, members of parliament, and district, provincial and ministry administrators.
The women needed to agree to the requirements of the class, which included communicating by Telegram daily on various topics and meeting together around one topic every two weeks. The class was facilitated by Dr. Yacoobi and senior AIL staff. Because of work and other commitments, not all of the women who were initially invited were able to meet all of the requirements and receive a certificate; however, all were welcome to participate in as many of the activities as they were able.
Throughout the year the women discussed many topics, including peace, democracy, service to community and how to run as a politician and support the country. They studied values such as honesty, responsibility and ethics. Most recently, the group covered six major topics in depth in Telegram and through meetings:
- Good Governance (having a good government, national unity, the government and people and being a united society),
- Women’s Solidarity (how women stay together, role of women in politics, their role in management and building the capacity of women),
- Women in Education (the importance of education and books),
- Women in Culture (what is culture and how to have a rich culture),
- Health care (the importance of health, both mental and physical),
- Environment (the environmental conditions in Afghanistan and its challenges).
During the year, the members of the Women’s Empowerment Class formed what is now called the Women’s Empowerment Group (WEG). The 37 women, who received a certificate at the end of the year, have now become life-long members of the Women’s Empowerment Group. They have office space in AIL’s Herat office. They have committed to attend at least three meetings each year. They have an opportunity to work with the AIL Research Group on various topics and they have agreed to speak at AIL conferences from time to time.
As a result of attending the class the women now feel supported and empowered to take on greater leadership roles. One of the major things that they have learned is the importance of supporting each other and working together. Outcomes from the year- long program have been remarkable. In 6-8 months every member put themselves forward as a candidate for some sort of office or elected position. After the elections, members of the group joined together to continue to support the winners. There was no competition or trying to put the other women down. This is a change in attitude to one of supporting others in their new roles, rather than jealousy and failing to accept leadership by the winners.
As a result of attending the class the women now feel supported and empowered to take on greater leadership roles. One of the major things that they have learned is the importance of supporting each other and working together. Outcomes from the year- long program have been remarkable. In 6-8 months every member put themselves forward as a candidate for some sort of office or elected position. After the elections, members of the group joined together to continue to support the winners. There was no competition or trying to put the other women down. This is a change in attitude to one of supporting others in their new roles, rather than jealousy and failing to accept leadership by the winners.
