Outreach program empowers Afghan women’s economic freedom

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—Afghan women had to deal with the term ‘it’s a man’s world’ all of their lives, but a women’s outreach program gave them an opportunity to become self sufficient.

The women, in cooperation with Army & Air Force Exchange Services and the A-Day Treasure Program, held an all-women’s bazaar at the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation clamshell on Bagram Airfield, Feb. 17. The program was created to empower the women, teach them business skills, and keep them off the streets.

Sweeda Kazemi and Storai Jalal co-founded the program in 2010 but they never imaged it would have such a huge impact on the women.

“We didn’t know it was going to become this big and successful,” said Kazemi. “The women are the backbone of the family, so coming here and being able to work for a living gives the women a new start.”

The program is open to all afghan women and goes on throughout all the bases in Afghanistan, to give them a chance to sell their merchandise. All of the items featured at the bazaars are created and designed by female Afghan artisans.

Proceeds from each item purchased will go directly toward improving the quality of life for women in Afghanistan.

“We created the bazaar for Afghan women, as an outlet where they can sell their merchandise and keep all the profits made, “said Jalal. “We see them selling different things in the streets like scarfs and bracelets, so we ask them to sell at the bazaars so that they won’t have to be in the streets anymore.”

The women are encouraged to get their national identification so they can have access to come on base and sell at the bazaars. Upon receiving their I.D., the program opens bank accounts for the women and teaches them how to manage those accounts.

The program’s influence has touched the young women of Afghanistan as well, said Jalal.

Brishna Rita, a seven-year-old vendor, has been with the program for a year.

Kazemi and Jalal made a deal with Rita that if she would go to school and stay off the streets that she would be able sell in the program.

“[Kazemi and Jalal] gave me a chance to do something different with my life,” said Rita. “They have been a huge influence to me.”

Kazemi feels the program has helped many women, but it has changed the future as well.

“It feels good to be able to give back to our roots and to give them a better future.”