Speeches Shim
More than 75 women members of Provincial Peace Councils (PPCs) met in Kabul today to plot a strategy to advocate for the interests of women in the peace process. Over 120 Promote Musharikat “Women in Peace” Coalition activists and influential religious leaders joined the conversation to review how women will be linked and consulted in the process, to assess PPC members’ negotiation and collaboration skills, and to plan how to most effectively advocate for women’s interests. After a two-day working session, the participants presented their national campaign plan to senior stakeholders at the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC).
The U.S. government’s Promote: Women in Government (WIG) project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) observed the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence yesterday at an event hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The Office of the President hosted a ceremony to celebrate the launch of a feasibility study of the Khush Tepa Irrigation Canal in Kunduz, Jawzjan, and Balkh provinces. Upon completion, the proposed irrigation scheme will impact more than 60,000 households; with a 200 kilometer irrigation canal and a cultivated catchment area of 500,000 hectares. Afghan government officials, including President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Nasir Ahmad Durrani, Acting Minister of Finance Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Gul Khulmi; deputy ministers and advisors attended the ceremony.
The Asia Foundation – Afghanistan, with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched the 14th annual Survey of the Afghan People (SAP). First launched in 2004, the Survey gathered the opinions of more than 100,000 Afghans across the country on elections, corruption, security, women’s rights, service delivery, the economy, migration, and peace and reconciliation. It is the broadest and longest-running nationwide survey of Afghan attitudes and opinions.
One hundred and two young Afghan women graduated today from USAID’s Promote: Women in the Economy (WIE) Microfinance Institute Training (MFI) program. The women are part of the program’s second apprenticeship session, which now includes 177 graduates. Implemented by the Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA), the program equips women with technical and managerial skills needed to secure jobs in the banking and microfinance sectors.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation, in conjunction with the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, celebrated the academic achievements of the 712 undergraduate Promote women scholars. During a reception at the Ministry of Higher Education, 130 of the 712 female scholars from across Afghanistan were recognized for their hard work and academic success. Through the Promote Scholarship Program, USAID and The Asia Foundation develop women leaders who, as change agents, will serve to contribute to an environment that fosters the empowerment of women in Afghanistan.
Fifteen students from Kandahar University graduated with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree. Two women were part of the first cohort of MPH graduates. Kandahar University created the MPH program with financial assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) University Support and Workforce Development Program (USWDP) and technical expertise provided by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
Twelve Afghan agribusinesses will display the finest fresh and dried fruits, nuts, juices, and vegetables at a high-profile trade event in Almaty, Kazakhstan from October 31 to November 2. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will support the 12 agribusinesses. "WorldFood Kazakhstan" will provide an opportunity for buyers to connect with Afghan sellers and explore business relationships in the lucrative Central Asian market. More than 5,000 regional buyers are expected at the event. The Central Asian market is strategically important for Afghan agribusinesses. Earlier this year, the Afghan government announced its hopes of increasing air cargo shipments to 10 metric tons weekly through the Afghanistan-Kazakhstan air corridor. Kazakhstan imported $2.1 million in agricultural goods from Afghanistan in 2017.
Ten champions of women’s empowerment in Afghanistan received awards today from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Promote: Women in Government (WIG) project. The ten included five from the public sector and five representing the private sector from among 150 nominations. The awardees work for or with the Government of Afghanistan in Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, and Nangarhar to promote gender equality.
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