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 Update
For the past three years WRI has been funding a training programme for widows in Kabul , Afghanistan ; our partner there is the Afghan Women’s Educational Centre. In a recent report AWEC notes that information on health education has been added to the very successful literacy and numeracy programme. The women gave the health educator a very positive appraisal and expressed great appreciation for the knowledge they have acquired.
For example, Naziya said: “When my child got a cold, I could not afford expensive medicine. I treated him with the home method our health teacher told us about, and my child recovered very fast. I did not know about this kind of treatment before, and the knowledge I got here turned out to be very helpful.”
One of our WRI’s main concerns is to encourage widows to learn about their rights as citizens and to participate knowledgeably in the political process. In their last report, AWEC noted that the widows were encouraged to acquire election cards so they could participate in the presidential elections. They now report that 75 widows took part being well informed about when and where to cast their votes. On the morning of Election Day, which was a general holiday,15 widows of Hazara nationality arrived at their literacy teacher’s home. “Teacher, could you please show to us where is the place for voting?” they requested. Teacher led them to the closest voting centre. “For whom are you going to give your vote?” she asked one of the women. “I am not going to vote for a person who has had weapons in his hands,” the woman answered. “I am going to vote for person who brought us peace.” Another woman said: “Although we are Hazara people and one of the candidates is representative of our nation, we are not voting for him. He took part in fighting. Our houses were destroyed by war, we became refugees. We want to vote for peace today.”
Another women said: “I told my daughters at home that they have the right to vote, and I took them with me when I went to vote in the presidential elections.” Another reported that: “My neighbours warned me to not go to vote in the elections. They said if I went something bad could happen to me. Using shopping as an excuse I left my house and voted for our President. Nothing bad happened, but I still haven’t told my neighbours about it.”
Small business training.
38 of the widows who received the training and felt sure they could successfully run a small business were introduced to an agency which provides start up loans. The AWEC social worker is following up their businesses and repayments of the loan.
Case Studies
Gulbaht is 30 years old; her husband died 3 years ago, leaving her with 3
children. According to custom, one of her brothers- in- law offered to take
care of her, if she married him. Gulbaht refused. Her brother- in- law then
tried to force her into marrying him by taking her and her children away to
another city. “I wanted to die, to kill myself. I would never accept
another man as my husband, especially my brother-in –law. I ran back
to Kabul , leaving my children and seriously thought about committing suicide.
I was in this mood when an AWEC social worker introduced me to the widow’s
group. Here I found a new life. Now I do not want to kill myself. Now I know
that I have my rights as a woman. I will continue my life and fight my problems.”
Fatima‘s story can be considered an AWEC success story as it shows how raising women’s awareness helps them to reach out and assist other women who are not part of our group.
After joining the widows’ group, Fatima took a 4 months vocational training course in tailoring at AWEC’s Center for Women and Street Children. Vocational training is actually not part of the widows’ group programme, but those who are interested can enrol in a vocational training course without disrupting their involvement with the widows’ group. When Fatima graduated, she received a sewing machine and tailoring tool kit. She then started to work as a tailor and put a sign up in front of her home. She continued to attend the literacy and other classes with her widows group. As Fatima is a very active woman, she soon found a part time job as tailoring trainer, She also got in touch with a new NGO which opened in her neighbourhood because it offers material support for poor people. After introducing herself to them she then brought in eight other women from AWEC widows’ support group. All were able to receive food items. Fatima continues to attend regular widows’ group activities and offers to help to other women.
This year we are funding training and counselling for over 120 widows.