Work on women training centre, market begins

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): The governor’s office and the department of women‘s affairs in north-eastern Badakhshan province on Monday celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Women’s Training Centre and Women’s Market in Faizabad, the provincial capital.

A statement from the German Cooperation with Afghanistan said that the Centre will put the department of women affairs and its stakeholders in a better position to promote gender equality deal with women’s affairs as a cross-cutting topic throughout various development issues in Badakhshan.

The training centre, being built with German cooperation, will focus on issues, such as legal awareness, violence against women, women’s rights, English, computer and management skills and healthcare. The Women’s Market next door to the centre will give local businesswomen opportunities to market their goods and services in Faizabad. They will benefit from better market access and will also help generate local employment.

In the next months, women entrepreneurs will receive training and consulting for developing their business plan. Support will also be provided through various capacity development measures to be able to take advantage of the new opportunity once the centre and the market are competed.

In addition, the construction projects will enable women and men in the province to access services provided by the provincial government and make them aware of their rights and responsibilities in the community. The projects will help strengthen the capacity of women and men in the province and help improve employment opportunities in the market.

Taking part in the opening ceremony, Dr. Shah Wali Ullah Adib, the governor of Badakhshan, Mr. Abdul Ghafor Ferogh, head of Badakhshan economy department and Mrs. Zofnon Hasam Natiq, head of women affairs department in Badakhshan, were joined by more than 100 representatives from Badakhshan line departments, women activists and entrepreneurs, community leaders, elders and religious leaders. Representing German Cooperation with Afghanistan, Dr. Frank Pohl, BMZ Development Commissioner, also took part in the event.

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