Afghan businesswomen get new centre to build networks

KABUL (AUAF) campus in Kabul on Saturday.

The US Embassy in Kabul said US Ambassador Tina Kaidanow joined university and ICAWED officials as well as Afghan businesswomen and students to officially dedicate the facility with a ribbon-cutting.

AUAF President Dr. C. Michael Smith; Ms. Leslie Schweitzer, Friends of AUAF President; and Ms. Nilofar Sakhi, Director of ICAWED attended the inauguration ceremony.

Funded by the United States, ICAWED will serve as a hub for Afghan businesswomen, female entrepreneurs, and associations to coordinate and build strong networks, the US embassy said in a statement.

 “The women meeting within the walls of this centre will build ideas and solutions for the future of Afghanistan’s business development,” Kaidanow told the audience.

“The centre will serve as a training ground for female entrepreneurs and a hub for Afghan businesswomen to network with each other, which – as we know from our experience in the United States and elsewhere – is an essential element for their empowerment and their success.”

The center will contribute to the growth of women-run businesses and will allow young, women-owned and oriented companies to create jobs and contribute to Afghanistan’s economy.  It will also provide programs to train and educate women business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Kaidanow said: “I am proud to represent the people of the United States in saying that we will remain steadfast in our support of Afghan women for many years to come. Afghanistan’s future will depend on whether women are able to live up to their full potential in every sector of Afghan society.”

pr/ma

Visits: 4