Ongoing Activities
Advancing women's rights and gender equality in Afghanistan
DONOR: UN-WOMAN
LOCATION: GHAZNI
BENEFACIRIES: 5026 PERSON
START DATE: SEP-26-2023
COMPELTION DATE: SEP-30-2025
KEY ACHIEVEMENT
- The Provincial Dialogue program, aimed at strengthening social cohesion and raising public awareness about the values of social harmony, family rights, women’s status in Islam, and children’s rights, was held in Ghazni province. Organized by the New Message for Afghan Women Organization with financial support from UN Women, the event brought together 50 participants, including religious scholars, traditional and community leaders, elders, shuras, local CSOs, youth, and women’s groups.
- The program facilitated meaningful discussions and exchanges of ideas on these critical topics. At the conclusion of the event, participants commended the initiative for its effectiveness and constructive impact. They emphasized the importance of continuing such programs and expressed strong support for similar initiatives in the future.
- This program reflects our shared hope that all community members will feel a sense of mutual responsibility and work together to foster unity, solidarity, and an environment of friendship and understanding within society.
- After implementing this program, the participants gained the skills to work on strengthening social cohesion, respect the rights of families, and if family rights are ignored by other members of the community and problems arise, these individuals have gained the ability to resolve these challenges and problems with the coordination and cooperation of scholars, regional elders, and influential people. As a result, the level of social violence will decrease and coordination, cohesion, unity, and integrity in the region will increase.
DONOR: UN-WOMAN
LOCATION: Bamyan
BENEFACIRIES: 5026 PERSON
START DATE: SEP-26-2023
COMPELTION DATE: SEP-30-2025
EDUCATION SESSION
NMAWO conducted fourteen educational sessions in Bamyan Province (five sessions in center of Bamyan, five sessions in Yakawlang district, and four sessions in Panjab district), targeting 350 participants (75 males and 275 females) including women participations, religious scholars, traditional leader, community, elders, shuras’ (local councils) members, local civil society organizations (CSOs), and youth groups from various villages. The sessions aimed to advance women’s rights and promote social cohesion within community.
The primary objectives of the training sessions were to enhance participants’ understanding of family rights with a focus on women and children rights according to Islamic and international law documents, to promote social cohesion by fostering mutual respect, tolerance, and collaboration among diverse community members, and to equip participants with skills and knowledge to advocate for harmonious coexistence.
The training sessions covered fundamental concepts of family rights, its legal framework, and cultural significance. Focused on the importance of social cohesion in building resilient communities, and on the role of families, particularly women in fostering development and social progress.
During the training sessions interactive discussions helped participants to identify challenges faced women in their community, and group activities allowed participants to propose strategies to address gender disparities. Participants developed actionable plans to implement learning in their communities, and created networks for ongoing collaboration and support.
The educational sessions were a significant step toward empowering community members with the knowledge and skills to promote women’s rights and social cohesion. With continued efforts and follow-up activities, the impact of these trainings will contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society in bamyan.
Radio Roundtables
NMAWO organized 13 radio roundtable in collaboration with Radio Nasim Network. These programs addressed critical social issues, including women’s rights, family rights, children rights, and social cohesion.
The primary objectives of the programs were to raise awareness about the importance of social cohesion and family rights, fostering constructive dialogue on social cohesion, conflict management, gender equality, and child protection within the communities of Bamyan and Daikundi provinces to reach diverse audiences, including those in remote areas, through radio as an effective communication medium.
The NMAWO has shown a strong commitment to empowering Afghan women through various initiatives, including these roundtable discussions, and moved towards fostering a more harmonious society, informed and constructive dialogue by reaching estimated audience of 35000 individuals in Bamyan and Daikundi.
Each radio roundtable featured subject matter experts, local leaders, religious scholars, university’s lecturers, and social activists to provide credible and accurate information based on their knowledge and experience.
The roundtable discussions had meaningful impact on both the audiences and the broader communities: By increasing public awareness about legal and social responsibilities concerning family rights, encouraging civic engagement and constructive discussions on social issues, providing a platform for experts and community leaders to share insights and propose solutions, and influencing local customs and traditions aimed at promoting family welfare and social unity.
Provincial Dialogue
NMAWO conducted a provincial discourse on “Social Cohesion, the Status of Women in International Documents, and Family Rights” in Bamyan province. It brought together 100 individuals (50 male and 50 female). Participants include influential figures, religious scholars, educators, and community members from various districts of Bamyan province. The event, hosted by the New Message for Afghan Women Organization, highlighted crucial discussions aimed at strengthening social cohesion, promoting awareness of women’s and children’s rights, and addressing harmful customs through public dialogue.
The discourse emphasized the importance of social cohesion for societal progress and stability, identifying key methods for fostering unity, such as raising public awareness, defining common national values, and ensuring equality in public services. Participants highlighted the significant roles that madrasa, mosques, schools, and universities play in promoting mutual understanding and tolerance.
Regarding women’s roles in society, the discourse underscored the vital position women hold within both the family and society. Women were recognized as central to the growth and development of families and, by extension, society. The discussions emphasized the need to respect women’s rights and provide them with the necessary support to fulfil their roles effectively.
The discussions on family and children’s rights underscored the necessity of respecting girls’ consent in marriage, ensuring proper financial support for wives, and safeguarding children’s rights. Harmful traditional practices, such as child marriages and giving away daughters to resolve disputes, were critically examined, with participants stressing their negative social and psychological impacts.
Overall, the event served as a platform for addressing pressing social issues, advocating for gender equality, and reinforcing the importance of protecting family rights in alignment with Islamic teachings and social justice. The discourse encouraged a collaborative effort toward creating a more cohesive and equitable society for all.