Promote: Women in the Economy Monthly Report November 2018

The initiative will improve the status of Afghan women and accelerate sustainable development in Afghanistan. Women in the Economy (WIE) is a task order under Promote, focusing on private sector and workforce development. WIE provides technical assistance, industry-specific business training, and improved access to finance and markets to leverage growth in the private sector. WIE assists women-owned businesses and businesses that hire at least 30 percent women to perform better, increasing income and sustainability. The project provides career counseling, workplace development, and technical skills training based on market demand. WIE also supports internships, apprenticeships, and job placement services to help female job seekers gain experience and secure new or better positions. The project is based in five regional zones across Afghanistan, with offices in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, and Kandahar. WIE has projected achievements, including 20 percent of Promote-supported businesses advancing to the next level of size, 50 percent of businesses increasing revenues by 40 percent, and 21,000 women receiving new or better employment. In November 2018, WIE held the Forward Together Shaping TEDx-style talk show at Kabul University, featuring real-life stories from 11 Promote beneficiaries. The event allowed beneficiaries to share challenges and rewards of pursuing education and entering government, civil society, and private sector positions. Over 200 university students attended the event, which was filmed for future broadcast. Component 1 – Private Sector Development (PSD) has seen significant progress, with eight mini-grant packages disbursed to support businesses nominated by the Afghan Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI) to participate in the Dubai Global Village Afghan exhibition. This initiative aims to increase the visibility and competitiveness of Afghan women-owned businesses in the global market. WIE has also made significant progress in workforce development, with 2,500 women receiving new or better employment opportunities, including self-employment. The project has also supported 9,500 women in activity-supported apprenticeships or internships, and 12,000 women have received a 10 percent or greater improvement in income or earnings. In terms of policy and advocacy, WIE has supported the development of gender-sensitive policies, regulations, or reforms to assist women in the economy. The project has also collaborated with government ministries, other donor agencies, and USAID projects to promote women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. Overall, WIE has made significant progress in promoting women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan, with a focus on private sector development, workforce development, and policy advocacy. The project has supported thousands of women in gaining new or better employment opportunities, and has contributed to the development of gender-sensitive policies and regulations. WIE has also established partnerships with local educational and training providers to deliver technical skills training courses based on market demand. The project has also supported the establishment of knowledge management portals to provide access to information and resources for women in the economy. In terms of management and administration, WIE has a strong team of staff and consultants, with a focus on promoting women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. The project has also established a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and identify areas for improvement.