Empowering Women
Transforming Generations
The Afghan Women Empowerment Program (AWEP)
The Afghan Women Empowerment Program (AWEP) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-sectarian organization founded in 1995 in Peshawar, Pakistan, during one of Afghanistan’s darkest chapters of war and displacement. Since its inception, AWEP has been unwavering in its mission to improve the lives of Afghan women, children, and youth by championing education, health, human rights, peace-building, and economic empowerment.
AWEP was born out of necessity. Following over four decades of war and instability, millions of Afghan families were forced into exile or left behind in shattered cities and provinces with no access to education, healthcare, or economic opportunity. The social and civic infrastructure of Afghanistan had been decimated. The people most affected were, and continue to be, women and children—who became the invisible victims of poverty, displacement, violence, and systemic neglect.
AWEP emerged as a response to this humanitarian crisis with a bold and determined vision: to restore dignity, equality, and opportunity to Afghan women and children wherever they are—whether in war zones, refugee camps, or diaspora communities.
A Journey of Commitment
AWEP began its first major operations by establishing a school for orphans and vulnerable children and a free clinic in Peshawar, Pakistan. These facilities provided immediate relief in the form of education, healthcare, and psychosocial support for displaced Afghan families. As the organization grew in both capacity and vision, it expanded operations inside Afghanistan, opening a central office in Kabul in 2002 and eventually launching activities in provinces such as Herat, Balkh, Badakhshan, Takhar, and Nangarhar.
In 2008, AWEP took a bold new step by opening an office in Sweden, seeking to raise awareness internationally and secure sustainable support for Afghan women and children. Today, AWEP maintains local groups in 10 European countries, partnering with donors, governmental bodies, and civil society organizations to amplify its mission on the global stage.
CORE & VALUES
At the heart of AWEP’s work lies a clear and unshakeable belief: that a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan must be built upon gender equality, education, and social justice. AWEP envisions an egalitarian society where men and women have equal rights, where children can dream beyond survival, and where every voice matters.
To achieve this, AWEP operates through an integrated approach, combining community-based initiatives with policy advocacy, ensuring that interventions are both grassroots and systemic.
Areas of Focus
1.
Education and Literacy
Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. AWEP has:
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Established and supported primary schools for orphans and street children in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Delivered literacy education for women, enabling them to read, write, and participate in decision-making.
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Launched language and computer training centers to give women and youth essential digital and communication skills.
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Conducted workshops on CV writing, job applications, and interview preparation, making education actionable and career-oriented.
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Implemented teacher training programs to improve classroom quality and expand capacity.
Through these efforts, AWEP has helped thousands of Afghan women and children break the cycle of illiteracy and marginalization.
2.
Health and Humanitarian Services
AWEP is deeply committed to addressing the critical lack of healthcare access among Afghan women and children:
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It operates free clinics that offer checkups, medication, maternal care, and family planning services.
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It runs awareness programs on vaccinations, breastfeeding, hygiene, and reproductive health.
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It conducts HIV/AIDS prevention workshops, especially for youth, and addresses substance abuse through targeted campaigns.
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During times of crisis—whether natural disasters or internal displacement—AWEP has distributed food, clothing, medicine, and shelter supplies to affected populations.
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It integrates mental health and psychosocial support, recognizing the trauma that decades of war have inflicted.
These services not only save lives but restore dignity and resilience to women and children who have endured unimaginable hardship.
3.
Human Rights and Legal Advocacy
Advocating for women’s and children’s rights is central to AWEP’s philosophy. Its work includes:
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Leading community awareness campaigns on human rights, gender equality, democracy, and freedom of speech.
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Facilitating access to legal aid and counseling for women facing violence, discrimination, or unjust judicial processes.
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Encouraging women to participate in public discourse, including media training to help them share their stories.
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Campaigning for girls’ right to education at local and national levels.
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Hosting workshops on corruption awareness and accountability, encouraging civil transparency and ethical leadership.
AWEP does not simply offer services—it empowers people to know and claim their rights, and works to build institutions that uphold those rights.
4.
Economic Empowerment and Vocational Training
Understanding the link between poverty and gender inequality, AWEP equips women with tools to become financially self-sufficient:
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Offers vocational training in sewing, embroidery, handicrafts, tailoring, and modern trades.
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Facilitates income-generating projects, such as small business development and artisan cooperatives.
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Organizes exhibitions and marketplaces to showcase and sell Afghan women’s handicrafts, both locally and internationally.
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Partners with international donors to provide grants and seed funding for entrepreneurial ventures led by women.
By turning skills into income, AWEP enables women to support their families, gain confidence, and assert agency in their communities.
5.
Peace-Building and Youth Engagement
AWEP is also committed to building a peaceful Afghanistan through social inclusion and conflict resolution:
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Runs workshops on peace-building, negotiation, and reconciliation, especially in communities with ethnic or political tensions.
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Promotes inter-generational dialogue and youth engagement through leadership camps and cultural exchange.
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Organizes sports activities and recreational programs for girls and boys, fostering teamwork and healing.
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Trains young people to become community ambassadors for tolerance, democracy, and women’s rights.
By involving youth in peace-building, AWEP helps ensure that the next generation grows up with the tools and values necessary to break the cycles of conflict.
