March 2018—Finding a job was Sonita’s* main objective when she graduated from an Afghan university in 2015, but with no work experience to show on her résumé, her search seemed futile.

Fortunately for Sonita, the USAID Promote: Women in Government project gave her the opportunity to train for a job in government. After participating in the 12-month civil service internship program, Sonita received a certificate from the Afghan Government equivalent to one year of work experience. She then applied for a job with the Afghan Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs in October 2017, and successfully secured the position.

“I give credit to my rigorous training for passing the qualifying exam,” said Sonita. “University education gave me general knowledge in different disciplines, but the USAID program gave me knowledge and skills in actual government functions. They trained me to become a leader. So not only did I find work, I also landed a managerial position as a gender awareness general manager!”

Rohina*, another graduate of the internship program, also found a direct path to a meaningful government career. In March 2017, she joined the Administrative Office of the President as a member of the technical team in the procurement department.

“The training paved a clear path ahead for me. Before this, I did not even know how to write a proper résumé or use the computer proficiently,” she said.

Both women are grateful for the enormous impact the program has had on their lives.

“My parents are advanced in age and unemployed, so I am the one earning for my family,” said Rohina. “They were the ones who encouraged me to join the internship program and, when I finally landed a job, they were very happy and grateful.”

Similarly, Sonita can now support her siblings to continue their college education: “It feels so good inside to be able to help my family and be financially independent myself.”

The USAID Promote: Women in Government project, which runs from 2015 to 2020, is training more than 3,000 women for government careers. More than 200 women so far have graduated from the 12-month program that includes civil service technical modules, leadership and hands-on office practice. Sixty-seven women are now employed in different government institutions.

*Name changed to protect identity.