Self-help health center for Afghan women planned
March 8, 2004
The Project
Health care in Afghanistan is minimal, especially in the rural provinces. This project will provide Afghan women with first aid kits and with copies of the book, Where There Is No Doctor, and other health materials from Hesperian Press, so that they can begin to provide first aid to their families. The center, which will be housed in the newly established Afghans4Tomorrow Vocational Center in Kabul, will also be a clearinghouse for the exchange of indigenous healing treatments. Materials on reproductive health will be made available, as well as materials about health consequences of radioactive weaponry used in Afghanistan. Women for a Better World will collaborate with the following organizations on this project.
Sonoma County Women's Council
The Core Council of Women for a Better World, the SCWC has been active since the Spring of 2002 as a concerned group of women in the County addressing the cessation of war and establishment of women's power and place in creating a peaceful world. To that end, they have connected with two organizations: the All Afghan Women's Union, in particular the Kabul Peace Circle, a part of AAWU, and Afghans4Tomorrow, an American-Afghan group based in the East Bay, working to promote the re-building of Afghanistan.
The Women's Council linked up with the Kabul Peace Circle through PeaceXpeace, an international women's online organization begun by Patricia Melton Smith. The WCSC was the first circle of women to link with another international one through PeaceXpeace (http://www.peacexpeace.org) Communication is difficult because of the language barrier as well as a lack of computer/email connection in Kabul, but the Council continues its work through personal visits.
At the Council's first public event on March 8, 2003, celebrating International Women's Day, Asma Eschen of Afghans4Tomorrow, was a featured speaker. She brought news of a 4-year scholarship program for Afghan women, Initiative to Educate Afghan Women, begun by Paula Nirschel, the wife of Roger Williams University president, Roy Nirschel. The information was taken in person by Teresa Rerras of PeaceXpeace to Kabul and presented to Alean Haider, the email correspondent of the Kabul Peace Circle. She was awarded one of the available scholarships and is now studying at Montclair University in New Jersey.
The SCWC has also sent textbooks in English, for instruction, at all levels of literacy, from 1st grade primers through college texts, including dictionaries. More books will be delivered in June of 2004 by Asma Eschen on her 2nd return trip to her mother country.
The All Afghan Women's Union
On November 17, 2001, Sureya Parlika, now a member of the Loya Jirga, the representative body of the new Afghan government, established the All Afghan Women's Union (AAWU). Since then, the AAWU has become a powerful network for women throughout Afghanistan. By March 6, 2002, 2700 women met and agreed to work together for the following goals:
- Educational and professional centers for widows, orphan girls and disabled women.
- Convening of seminars, workshops and conferences for women in different categories, including ill-treated, illiterate and higher educated women in different places and separately
- Convening of courses like Tailoring, courses aimed at Literacy, giving lectures in the field of economics, law, and the need for peace and effectuation of it in world peace.
- Security in all of Afghanistan
- Democracy and its need in the Afghan society to ensure the equal rights of women in a democratic society.
- Participation of women in every field of life including economic, social, political and cultural.
- Active participation of women for decision making in governmental authorities.
- Providing work opportunities outside of the home for women .
- Convening of English and Computer courses for educated women and girls. All the women are very interested to learn the Internet and to have access to it, which is very important for contacting other women in the world. (Unfortunately, due to high cost of Internet service in a low economy, they still don't have access to it.)
Afghans4Tomorrow
Afghans4Tomorrow (A4T) is providing the space for the health center. A4T is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. A4T provides essential services to its people through the expertise, knowledge and dedication of Young Afghan Professionals abroad. The goal is to invest funds in projects that will revive the economy as well as create lasting jobs for Afghan people. (http://www.Afghans4tomorrow.com) Established in 1999. A4T is an organization for the citizens of Afghanistan, where all projects will be directed at improving the standards of life for the current generation as well as the next. Brothers and sisters with one goal, with one vision. Making a difference in the lives of every Afghan is our goal and mission.
Project costs:
WBW anticipates contributing $5000 toward the project, to cover rent, books, furnishings, phone. In time, we hope to add paid staff, at least one woman public health worker, to provide guidance and outreach to the rural provinces.