For the past three years we have been funding a training programme for widows in Kabul Afghanistan
...After learning about my rights I am going to ask rights of my children from my husband’s family. Despite of the fact that they threaten to kill me
WRI Training Programmes for Widows in Kabul
For the past three years we have been funding a training programme for widows in Kabul Afghanistan .
The first year was a pilot involving a needs’ assessment as our partners explained: Living through 23 years of war has greatly increased women’s economic responsibilities, being widowed they are suddenly responsible for breadwinning. Though many women have been able to survive extreme poverty, the traumatic experience of war and the increase in social and family violence means that they are in a low emotional state. According to one survey, 45% of Afghans suffer from psychosocial problems. There is also great need among urban women for employment or income generating skills. To know better what areas of skill training should be developed, what interventions in health or employment creation are needed, and what the potential local sources to be exploited are, a needs assessment survey is needed using sensitive surveyors with experience in counselling and community development.
One of the main findings of the needs assessment was that the lack of literacy and numeracy of most widows was a severe drawback to their employment possibilities. We therefore funded a programme of literacy and numeracy and psychosocial counselling for 60 widows;
Reviewing their studies at AWEC, women said :
“Literacy is opening our eyes- and who does not like to have one’s eyes open?” (Amina)
“When I got sick, the doctor offered to me to take one
week rest and stay at home, but I refused and continued to come for lessons
here.”(Mariam) 
“I was illiterate before. Now I can write my name and even sentences.”(Sidiqa)
“After learning about my rights I am going to ask rights of my children from my husband’s family. Despite of the fact that they threaten to kill me.” (Bibi Abida)
The widows also reported on the counseling sessions:
“My way of thinking have changed, things that were worrying me before are clearer now. I have stopped worrying and I am not as nervous as before” (Mariam)
“I was angry and nervous and beating my children very often. Now, when I am coming here, I feel happy. I am not beating my children any more. I have changed myself a lot.” (Diljan).
“When counselors started to teach me, I started a new life. Before, thinking about my problems, I got angry with children and went beating them. Counselors showed me that this was a mistake. Also they explained to me that my children have rights to education and other rights. I am not able to forget how changes in my attitude affected the children. They asked: “ Mother, why you have become so kind?” And there were tears in their eyes. I pray for this office’s teachers, for they gave calmness to me .I feel better now and have learned new ways to live. Now I have new hopes and understand that there can be happiness in life .” (Zeba Gul).
At the same time AWEC, our partner, gave them training in the management of micro credit. Those that passed the course were given a small grant to set up a business.
Shahnaz spent almost a year at the Center, and became literate: “Now I can read every billboard on the streets,” she says. After completing the microcredit training she took a loan and opened a hire shop, giving out crockery for rent. From the income she pays back the loan and feeds her children. Shahnaz says: “Two weeks ago I got a job and now I work as cleaner at an office.”
Hatira told us the following : “For last 5 years I was living alone with my 6 children. We were hungry most of the time and one of my daughters started to eat clay and got sick. When I arrived at AWEC, I was illiterate. I got education, now I can read and write. I learned tailoring here, bought a sewing machine and cloth from the loan I took and now work as a tailor. I have some income now and I feel sure about my future.”
This year we are funding training and counselling for over 120 widows.