|
Contents 1. Executive Director’s Letter
2. Introducing AWEC
- Our Mission
- Our Vision: why we do it
- Our Values: the principles that guide our work
- Our Goals: what we hope to achieve
- Our Work: what we focus on
- Our Dreams and hopes
3. Program Achievements
- Following our strategic plan
- AWEC beneficiaries
- Projects 2008
- Organizational and Partnership developments
- Women’s Capacity Building in the provinces
- Paving the way
- Defending Women’s and Children’s Rights
- Media and Gender Activities
- AWEC in Education 4. Finances
-Our donors and grants 5. Highlights to Watch Out for in 2009 6. Board of Directors and Staff
- 2008 Board of Directors
- 2008 Staff & Offices
7. Contact us Executive Director’s Letter
In this report you will see what the work of Afghan Women’s Educational Center means for the improvement of the lives of Afghan women.
In 2008, AWEC implemented 18 projects in six provinces in Afghanistan and Islamabad, Pakistan, guided by new hopes and facing new challenges. The challenges facing the Afghan people, especially women, are still daunting. Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. After years of conflict hard data is still difficult to come by but the figures available paint a picture of overwhelming poverty. An estimated 60% to 80% of the population lives below the $1 a day extreme poverty line. Afghanistan has some of the world’s highest child and maternal mortality rates and lowest literacy rates, and life expectancy is estimated at just 44 years. When considering the quality of life in terms of security the outlook is also grim. The rule of law and personal security also remains a dream for many Afghan people.
However, the recent record of the Afghan state of women’s rights provides room for optimism: a nationwide back to school campaign targeting girls, improvement in women’s access to healthcare, increased visibility for women in Kabul, women in both levels of government and women’s modest participation at all levels of governance. As a civil society organization, AWEC is making its strongest efforts at strengthening gender equality and women’s rights, in line with the Afghan government’s gender policies.
To maintain its position as one of the leading women’s organization and to further enhance, expand and extend its services, AWEC has created a three-year strategic plan, 2009 –2011. The revised version articulates the principle guidelines, objectives and tactics with required actions. By following this plan until 2011 and beyond, AWEC seeks to improve the depth, scope and impact of its services and activities towards women’s empowerment.
This year has not been an easy one. We continue to develop our systems and performance, and we know that AWEC can do more than our donors expect—we want to meet the needs of our communities which are still covered only at the grass roots level.
Hasina Safi
Introducing AWEC
Our Mission
Afghan Women’s Educational Centre is committed to promoting human rights and gender equality, working towards the abolishment of any kind of discrimination and violence against women and children through:
• Awareness raising and advocacy
• Social service delivery
• Capacity building, self-sufficiency and sustainable development initiatives Our Vision: Why We Do It As a serious women’s organization, we dream about establishing an environment where women and children can have human rights without any violence and discrimination and live in a strengthened civil society based on democracy, justice and gender equality. AWEC strives for the full participation of women in all aspects of society and seeks to provide appropriate conditions for children. Through needs assessments we involve beneficiaries in the planning and design of programs and projects that aim to improve the status of women and children and their participation in all areas of civil and personal life. In our field projects we work with all males and females in the community and without discrimination. Our Values: The Principles That Guide Our Work Transparency
Impartiality
Integrity
Predictability
Accountability
Legitimacy
Team Work
Effectiveness Our Strategic Goals: What We Hope To Achieve 1. To increase social consciousness and support in social development by creating support networks and increased social work
2. To work for socio-economic development in rural communities through the creation of community centers
3. To increase self-sufficiency among women through income generating projects and skill development initiatives
4. To improve the living conditions of marginalized groups of women and street and working children
5. To improve health and psycho-social wellbeing among women and children
Our Work: How We Realize our Goals
• literacy programs for women in provinces outside of Kabul
• education programs for children
• teacher trainings
• vocational training programs for women and youth
• support and mobilize women’s councils in provinces
• support local women’s organizations
• peace education and its intersection with women’s lives and rights
• basic health education and health services for children
• psycho-social support and assistance for women dealing with issues of trauma
• collaboration and networking with other organizations Our Dreams and Hopes Our efforts are oriented towards the advancement of our organization, making it more visible, recognized by donors, the international community and engaged in networks inside and outside the country. We have revised our strategies to become more long term and program based with a long term vision for our country.
As a result of AWEC’s Strategic Planning process four kinds of programs were identified for future implementation, which are Afghan Women’s Empowerment Program, Education Program, Women’s Rights Protection and Promotion, Promoting Democracy and Peace Building Program and Organizational Development program. Our yearly budget estimation for the core expenses of these programs reaches $ 198,000 USD for 2009. To continue these programs, AWEC will increase attention to fundraising.
For more information Download PDF Download |
