Women Empowerment and Leadership

iClick Agency

Women Empowerment and Leadership association stand and raise its voice against Domestic Violence.

Women Empowerment and Leadership association stand and raise its voice against Domestic Violence. WHICH HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASE IN AFGHANISTAN WEL Director Rita Anwari Sultani had the pleasure to raise the voice of Afghan women and girls who have been held silent. She presents the history of higher education in Afghanistan. Which focused precisely on women and girls and the struggles that they have faced and the achievements that they have accomplished in the last 20 years. Part of her presentation: After the Taliban in 2001, the situation was getting better the acceptance of women and girls in society was getting higher and higher each day and the strategies government created about gender equality and the participation of women and girls in government completely changed the role of women in Afghanistan. Women and girls in this last decade in Afghanistan showed that they can be anything they want being a journalist or working on TV to being in government as a minister or MP. but Today after all these developments again darkness took over Afghanistan and the main victims of this darkness are women and girls, sadly enough that one more time we are witnessing the cruel and barbaric laws against girls going to school or work and their higher education. Even their physical appearance of what they should where there is no place in the current regime of Taliban for women and girls, but still, we can see how hard women and girls are trying to achieve their rights. For the world to see the cruelty of the Taliban and to help them fight back against this terroristic group. We would start the presentation by going to the first university of Afghanistan. History • Which was established in 1903 by King Nader Khan by the name of Kabul University. • After that King Amanullah khan, he expanded the Higher education system by connecting Afghanistan’s Higher Education system with European and other Asian countries. • There wasn’t any change in the higher education system After Amanullah khan. • With The soviet invasion and later civil war that happen Education system was going on in,1990 there were 14,600 students, of which 10,00 were in Kabul university and 60% were women. • By the early 1990s women equalled roughly 40% of the students in university. Before the Taliban took control of Kabul, schools were coeducational and women accounted for 70% of teachers, 50% of civil servants, and 40per cent of medical doctors. • After that when in Sep 1996 Taliban took the control of Kabul they completely ruined the Education system. • In 2001 with the help of international communities, the Afghan government developed strategies and action plans to bring women and girls back to universities and the government was initiated. 1996-to2001 Taliban’s era • During Taliban Girls and women weren’t allowed to attend school and universities and they were forced to stay home. • The percentage of women in Education and Higher education, and in government was 0%. • 50% of girls in Afghanistan were forced to get married at the age of 15. • Some reports show that even girls at the age of 10 were sold for 220 pounds of flour. • Women in Afghanistan were vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse. Government’s Performance • The changes that happened in 2001 created a pathway for the government to work on new strategies and plans and focused on the participation of women. • There were four strategies at the national level, and they were: • ANDS (Afghanistan National Development Strategies 2008-2010) • MDG (Millennium Development goals 2013-2018) • SDG (Sustainability development goals) • ANPDF (Afghanistan national peace and development framework) ANDS: (Afghanistan National Development strategies 2008-2010) It was focused on improving quantity and quality aspects to satisfy the demand for the market-based economy with skilled professionals. Areas that ANDS worked in Higher education were: A: Quality assurance and accreditation B: Increased faculty recruitment and higher education C: Development and upgrading D: Faculty research gender E: Gender equity F: Infrastructure improvement G: Institutional autonomy H: Information systems. MDG (Millennium development goals) Is an UN-based program to improve lives in developing countries this strategy was applied in Afghanistan from 2013 to 2018 strategy has 8 goals. And one of them is to promote gender equality and empower women which gives women and girls assess to go to universities and participate in social and political changes and activities. Especially in the field of higher education, this strategy helped more women and girls to apply to universities and even work in universities as teachers. SDG (Sustainability development goals) Is also and UN strategy for countries like Afghanistan this program has 17 goals. The program was organized based on the country’s needs. In Afghanistan, the focus was on Poverty, Gender Equality, and Quality Education. Part Gender Equality requires the participation of women and girls in every part and aspect of government. ANPDF (The Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework 2020-2025): ​Are national strategies that are focused on women’s and their socio-economic development and women’s economic empowerment, this strategy talks about how to ensure full access of women and girls to education, freedom from domestic violence, women’s empowerment, etc. • Another large program in Afghanistan was NHESP (National Higher Education Strategy Plan 2010-t0-2014) which worked on quality improvement and increasing access for both men and women, its two main goals were to improve quality and broaden access to higher education, with an emphasis on gender equity. • There were also precise strategies done by the Ministry of Higher education in coordination with the Ministry of women’s Affairs for involving women and girls in Higher education. • There was a higher Education Gender Strategy (2013) the ministry of higher education has developed an action plan to increase the number of female students and faculty. • A-pillar plan with this was the construction of boarding schools for women and girls, with the help of the US state department they construct three boarding schools the first one

Women Empowerment and Leadership association stand and raise its voice against Domestic Violence. Read More »

Ramadan Food Package Distribution Day 3

On its third day, Women Empowerment and Leadership distributed 9 large and 100 small Ramadan Food Packages for the vulnerable Afghan Women and Children in Kabul. During this holly month, it is our obligation to provide and extend a helping hand to the needy. As the majority of Afghan population is living under the poverty line, a lot of people are therefore vulnerable and at risk of hunger. Therefore, those privileged and able to help are obligated with providing as much as they can. By this post, WEL is not seeking for raising funds, but we insist on finding appropriate ways for everyone around the world, who can and will help to support as much as they can. This is the time that you can make a difference to humanity and prevent collapse of a generation due to hunger. WEL will continue supporting the vulnerable families, especially women and children in Afghanistan. Please follow the process of our Ramadan Food Package Support on the coming days. 27 more days to go.

Ramadan Food Package Distribution Day 3 Read More »

Ramadan Food Package Distribution Day 2

On its second day, Women Empowerment and Leadership distributed 5 large packs along with 100 small Ramadan Food Packages for the vulnerable Afghan Women and Children in Kabul. During this holly month, it is our obligation to provide and extend a helping hand to the needy. As the majority of Afghan population is living under the poverty line, a lot of people are therefore vulnerable and at risk of hunger. Therefore, those privileged and able to help are obligated with providing as much as they can. By this post, WEL is not seeking for raising funds, but we insist on finding appropriate ways for everyone around the world, who can and will help to support as much as they can. This is the time that you can make a difference to humanity and prevent collapse of a generation due to hunger. WEL will continue supporting the vulnerable families, especially women and children in Afghanistan. Please follow the process of our Ramadan Food Package Support on the coming days. 28 more days to go.

Ramadan Food Package Distribution Day 2 Read More »

International Women’s Day Event by WEL

International Women’s Day and Launch of “The Dark Future” Short Movie Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL) association, hosted the International Women’s Day on March 27, 2022, and launched the Short Movie titled “The Dark Future.”  Acknowledging the original owners of the land, Dr. Rita Anwari, founder, and president of WEL, welcomed the participants to the event and read her opening keynote. She emphasized on the role of Women in the community, the importance of celebrating the International Women’s Day. She reiterated the situation that Afghan women are facing in Afghanistan, and how they are deprived of their basic rights. She further introduced the guest speakers of the event and requested for the close attention of the participants to the keynotes of the guest speakers and the short move which will be launched during the event. Following the welcome keynote by Dr. Anwari, a comprehensive presentation was given to narrate the current situation of Afghan Women in Afghanistan, following which the Afghan Women appealed to the international community to not recognise the administration in Afghanistan. Honourable Senator Paul Scarr, who were not able to participate in the event due to a prior commitment. His office representative read out his keynote on the International Women’s Day. Congratulation on the launch of the movie The Dark Future. It is important that your story is told so that the people of Afghanistan under the regime of the Taliban are not forgotten by the world. Especially the people who recently arrived from Afghanistan, please know that you have the support and encouragement of the Australian people. My thoughts and heart is still with those who have loved ones who are still in Afghanistan.  Following the message of the Honourable Senator Paul Scarr, the short move “The Dark Future” was broadcasted for all the participants to watch.  Dr. Annette Hurly, Professional and Executive Recruiter at the Acorn Group delivered her message on the importance of having rights for the women. She emphasized on the equal opportunities Australia has provided to all the women exclusive from their background, race, ethnicity, religion, and language. She highlighted the multiculturalism in Australian communities which provides equal opportunities and improves coexistence in the community. Following the keynote speeches by the guest speakers, Women Empowerment and Leadership presented presents and gifts to the guest speakers and a few participants on the event for their extraordinary role in successful completion of the event and on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day Event by WEL Read More »

Ramadan Food Package Distributed

Women Empowerment and Leadership distributed Ramadan Food Packages for the vulnerable Afghan Women and Children in Kabul. During this holly month, it is our obligation to provide and extend a helping hand to the needy. As the majority of Afghan population is living under the poverty line, a lot of people are therefore vulnerable and at risk of hunger. Therefore, those privileged and able to help are obligated with providing as much as they can. By this post, WEL is not seeking for raising funds, but we insist on finding appropriate ways for everyone around the world, who can and will help to support as much as they can. This is the time that you can make a difference to humanity and prevent collapse of a generation due to hunger. WEL will continue supporting the vulnerable families, especially women and children in Afghanistan. Please follow the process of our Ramadan Food Package Support on the coming days.

Ramadan Food Package Distributed Read More »

International Day of Journalism!

On the occasion of the International Day of Journalism, Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL) association procured and distributed a basic food package for the families of 20 Afghan Journalists in Afghanistan. The basic food package included flour, rice, and oil beside other commodities. Afghan journalists have played a significant role to be the voice of the nation and defended the basic human rights in the country. While they represent the general population through exercising the right of freedom of speech, nowadays it seems that they have been deprived of that right. Silencing the journalists gives the impression that the new administration in Afghanistan is attempting to silence the nation. To prove this assumption wrong, we request the new administration in Afghanistan to ensure that the freedom of speech right is preserved for all, particularly for the Afghan journalists who tirelessly work to ensure a better community in Afghanistan. Once again, we wish the International Journalism Day to everyone, and hope that the families supported through this program have accepted our assistance as a small token of appreciation for the brilliant work they are doing.

International Day of Journalism! Read More »

International Women’s Day 2022

First and foremost, on International Women’s Day, I wish all the women of the world, and especially the Afghan women, who suffered too much! Despite severe restrictions and difficult security and social conditions, fortunately today we were able to bring together a number of women and celebrate International Women’s Solidarity Day to show the world that Afghan women, despite the threats and anti-feminist pressures, still stand for active participation in the development process of Afghanistan. Held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Kabul, the purpose of this event is to enhance women entrepreneurs and support their active participation in business so that Afghan women can achieve greater achievements in the future. Afghan women are the driving force of our society and should play a significant role in the prosperity of Afghanistan’s economy and industry. I admire such women. Thanks to the working group that worked tirelessly, especially to Mr. Sayed Nazim Khelwati for organizing and coordinating the event. With the financial support of Ms. Rita Anwari

International Women’s Day 2022 Read More »

Wishing Sara Luck, the best luck!

Sara Luck started voluntary work with Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL) association from May to November 2021. During this duration she gained a lot of experience in terms of communication, coordination, liaison, event management and social media. In particular, she support the administrative and record management of the Afghan Evacuation Support program that WEL organized. Following the voluntary work, WEL provided her with a certificate of appreciation for her tireless efforts during her work. The certificate was key in recognizing the skills and competencies she gained over the course of her volunteer work in WEL. She was able to join Denise Maxwell Solicitors after she concluded her assignment in WEL. They praised her for  her efforts and dedication during her volunteer work in WEL. She is now planning to start her own business. Therefore, WEL would like to wish her best of luck on her new journey.

Wishing Sara Luck, the best luck! Read More »

Welcome to Australia, the land of opportunities

04/03/22 Women Empowerment and Leadership Founder Rita Anwari Sultani welcomes another two families from Afghanistan with a delicious cake as usual. After 6 months of her hard work, eventually, she made it to assist them to get to Australia, the land to the opportunities, and give second chance to these beautiful children. It is quite stressful what they have been through for the past few months, on the other hand it is also relieving to know that they are out of the stressful situation. Particularly, for the kids who had to bear the impact of the wrong politics that the adults did in the country. But now a bright future can be ensured for them in Australia, where they can receive their desired education and their basic human rights. As an organization entirely dedicated to the empowerment of women, WEL will always be here to support these kids in every step of their journey for a better future in Australia, including finding the best pathways for education. It is timely to thank all the people who helped us get these families out of misery. Lives have changed for good thanks to the roles these amazing people played in securing visas and relocating these families out of Afghanistan. In particular, Senator Paul Scarr and his office for their tireless support to this family and so many more.

Welcome to Australia, the land of opportunities Read More »

WELCOMING FAMILIES!

Women Empowerment and Leadership founder Rita Anwari Sultani and Secretary Leila Loei – Ms Austraila World Ambassador welcomed the three Afghan families who just arrived in Australia this week with a colourful cake, toys for children and dignity bags for women. It is a pleasant feeling to see younger children, especially girls getting better chances to make a bright future for themselves. Meanwhile, it is also painful to hear their sad stories and things they have been through. It is really unfortunate that minor kids had to go through all those misery in Afghanistan due to failed politics. They spent most of their childhood in battlegrounds instead of playgrounds, it is such a shame that the politicians have failed them over and over again. As an organization entirely dedicated to the empowerment of women, WEL will always be here to support these kids in every step of their journey for a better future in Australia, including finding the best pathways for education. It is timely to thank all the people who helped us get these families out of misery. Lives have changed for good thanks to the roles these amazing people played in securing visas and relocating these families out of Afghanistan.

WELCOMING FAMILIES! Read More »

Women Empowerment and Leadership