Expansion project begins for Gardez Women’s Development Center

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – In support of Paktya’s growing women’s empowerment initiative, several government officials and representatives from the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Gardez Women’s Development Center in Gardez district, Sept. 13.

The new facility will be constructed on the grounds of the existing Women’s Development Center and will provide eight additional classrooms for instruction in teaching, computers, women’s rights, and civics training. The Department of Women’s Affairs also plans to hire more staff members to provide assistance with women’s legal issues in the new facility. 

Paktya Deputy Governor, Abdal Rahma Mangal, Afghan National Police Chief, Brig. Gen. Sayed Aziz Ahmad Wardak, and the Director of Women’s Affairs, Halima Khazan laid the foundational stones for the structure. Mangal and Wardak both congratulated Khazan and thanked her for her dedication to women’s empowerment. 

The Paktya PRT women’s affairs representative, Army Staff Sgt. Quitze Garcia, who attended the event, was encouraged by the progress foreshadowed by the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I hope that all the women of this area who got to watch this on the news or hear about it over the radio will also be encouraged to see that their government will support them and their rights,” Garcia said.

For the Paktya PRT commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Carlos Halcomb, the groundbreaking marked the progress for an important part of Afghan society.

“This event marked another important step forward for the women of Paktya. The new facility will create additional opportunities for females to learn and grow, both professionally and in their personal lives. Not only do Afghan women face urgent humanitarian needs, but their untapped energy and productivity are essential for sustainable peace, security, and development in Afghanistan,” Holcomb said.