WOAM SUPPORTS
WOAM has been supporting Women for Women International since our first campaign and is committed to staying involved in the long term. Women for Women International (WfWI) is an independent non-profit humanitarian organisation, providing women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. The organisation was founded in 1993, by Zainab Salbi, an Iraqi American herself a survivor of the Iran/Iraq War.
That it is outrageous that it is more dangerous to be a woman in war zone than it is to be a solider.
Women for Women International
Our fundraising efforts are specifically directed to the millions of women and girls displaced or widowed by decades of violence in Afghanistan. Common discriminatory practices, amplified by extremist groups, often make it dangerous for women to seek education, healthcare services, employment, or, in some cases, even to leave their homes.
WOAM has been supporting WFWI since our very first campaign in 2012.
We have raised over US$ 550,000 for their work with women survivors of war.
We have chosen to support WFWI in Afghanistan, a country where women are so brutally targeted.
Our fundraising allows over 450 women in war-torn countries participate in the Women for Women International year-long training programs.
Our contribution has impacted 1000s more women in their community.
OUR IMPACT
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Take time to watch Hakima's story. It explains the impact of WFWI work on individual women, as well as the greater context and the overwhelming need to do more to help women in Afghanistan. You can make a difference!
“What I love about Women on a Mission is the way they reflect the beliefs and values at the heart of Women for Women International; we believe in the power of women coming together to form networks. The WOAM team are fantastic advocates for our work with women.”
Brita Fernandez Schmidt, Executive Director, Women for Women International – UK
Your support will help women like Zarghuna, women who have not lost hope. Click read her story.
Find more about WFWI work in Afghanistan:
Find more about WFWI :
ABOUT WFWI WORK IN AFGHANISTAN
Year-long training programs for women
Women who take part gain:
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The necessary knowledge and skills to rebuild a woman's life
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Marketable job skills, such as poultry farming, rug-weaving or tailoring
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Business training, to turn their chosen skill into a stable income generator
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Life-skills and rights awareness, so women can become healthy, active leaders of change in their communities.
Since 2002, WFWI - Afghanistan has served nearly 48,000 women through their year-long programme.
The outcomes of the programme are that women are able to earn and save money, develop their health and well-being (and that of their family), influence decisions in their home and communities and connect to networks for support.
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Women earn and save money: Afghanistan programme participants report average personal income of $.063 per day at graduation, compared to $0.13 at enrolment.
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Women develop health and well-being: Nearly 100 percent of participants report practising family planning at graduation, compared to less than 4 percent at enrolment.
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Women influence decision in the home and community: Nearly 96 percent of participants report participating in household financial decisions at graduation, compared to 27 percent at enrolment.
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Women create and connect to networks for support and advocacy: More than 95 percent of participants report sharing information about their rights with another woman at graduation, compared to 2 percent at enrolment.
Engaging Men Changes Attitudes
Women’s empowerment requires widespread social change that involves both men and women. The Women for Women International – Afghanistan team has successfully developed programs to engage men as allies in women’s empowerment by improving their knowledge about health, social, and economic issues that can negatively affect women.
Over 850 male leaders have participated to date. In 2013, half of the men who participated in WFWI men's programmes reported that they took action to reduce gender-based violence, compared to just 2 percent at enrolment.