Secretary of State Antony Brinken launched the Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience (AWER) on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on September 20. AWER is a new public-private partnership between the Department of State and Boston University that represents the commitment of business, philanthropy and civil society to advance entrepreneurship, employment and educational opportunities for Afghan women in Afghanistan and third countries. is intended to promote
In her remarks, Brinken highlighted AWER’s first initiative, the Million Women Mentor Initiative (MWMA) for Women and Girls in Afghanistan. This initiative aims to accelerate the commitment of the private sector and civil society to mentor one million women and girls over the next five years. Working with the Alliance’s first member, Pod, he undertook Deloitte’s commitment to mentor 2,000 Afghan women under MWMA, and AWER to promote economic opportunities for Afghan women and girls. I pointed it out as an example of how you aim to do that.
The announcement includes funding from the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund, which supports the economic security of women and girls around the world, to facilitate Afghan women’s access to business incubation and partnerships with the private sector. It follows an additional $1.5 million in State Department funding for the effort. .
The launch event brought together leaders from the private sector, civil society, U.S. and foreign governments, and women entrepreneurs and business leaders from Afghanistan. It featured a panel discussion on public and private opportunities to advance the economic security of Afghan women. Panelists include: Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid, Maternal and Child Health Advocate, Fereshteh Forough, CEO, Code to Inspire; Ayesha Hashem, Public Policy Manager, South Asia, Meta. Maniza Wafek, co-founder of the Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her Director, Managing Deloitte Consulting LLP, Nell Todd, said: Other events Her speakers include her Katrina Fotovat, senior official of the Global Women’s Affairs Secretariat; Rina Amiri, Special Envoy for Women, Girls and Human Rights in Afghanistan; included Thomas West of
AWER paves the way for sustainable, market-driven solutions to the economic security of Afghan women and underscores America’s deep commitment to Afghan women and girls.
For more information about AWER and how to participate, please contact Radhika Prabhu, PrabhuRG@state.gov. For media inquiries, please contact SGWI_PA@state.gov and SCA-Press@state.gov.
