Literacy and livelihoods for village women

In rural Afghanistan today approximately 90% of women cannot read, write or do simple calculations.

Since 2005, AADO has been empowering rural women like Magul through a 12-month Literacy & Livelihoods for village women program, and generous donations from Australian citizens have given over 500 women and girls the opportunity to generate their own income and gain a status in their communities usually reserved only for men.

Opening a woman’s eyes to her own rights and supplying her with the powerful tools of literacy, numeracy and a vocational trade means that she is able to accept that she is just as capable of being trained as a skilled worker as her male counterpart and is too can hold an important position in her community. Her self-esteem grows and she is able to create a healthier environment for her family.

“The biggest point of changing my life is becoming aware of my rights and now I can defend my life and my rights too. Before I didn’t know about my rights, but by being a member of AADO’s training course…I became very powerful.” Says Magul.

When you educate a woman like Magul you create communities with the potential for lasting economic and social growth.

Magul says “Now I feel happy because my life condition is better than before, and I am able to send my children to school. I am so grateful to AADO for providing of life skill training course.”

The project has created new identities and gender roles as the self-esteem of women increases and they become more active decision-makers in their families and communities.

Life skills graduates are seen as important role models, especially for other girls and women in their community. The program is even helping to change the attitudes of men towards the important role of women in development work.