In August 2020, DACAAR successfully completed implementation of the WOMEN (Women Owned Market Economy Network) project in Gosfand Dara village of Bagrami district, Kabul province. The project was funded by NOVO Nordisk for a period of 15 months.

The project supported 40 female tailoring and embroidery skilled workers to establish a joint business. These women were graduated from DACAAR Vocational Training Centers in 2019 but were struggling to find a footing in the market.

The women were provided with training, on the job mentoring and inputs to help improve their business management and marketing skills, enhance their fashion designing skills and improve the overall quality of their products so they can compete better in the Afghan garments industry.

“We managed the training and production process by asking the members who had space and facility at home, to work from home, while for those who were not able to work from home, we asked them to come to the center in groups (5 people in each group). We took all precautions, encouraged frequent handwashing with soap and social distancing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus among our members.” Said Nadia Noorzayee, project supervisor, citing challenges brought by the COVID19 pandemic.

In a short video documentary, we try to capture the positive impact of the project on one of the project beneficiaries – Ms. Zarsanga, who is partially disabled and heads a destitute family with 15 members.

By: Zohal Nasrat
Contributions: Irshad Alamyar