The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

NAME: Rahela Kaveer

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

BUSINESS: Afghan Women Empowerment Organization (AWEO)

Rahela, 39 years old, owns AWEO, an organization dedicated to the empowerment of Afghan women. Rahela took on a big risk early in life when she left her home in Mazar to help distribute medical and educational materials to Bamyan, which was under strict economic and military control by the Taliban.

After successfully re-establishing the collapsed health system in this province, Rahela began to focus on how she could help women through literacy and vocational training, including animal husbandry, housekeeping and quilt-making. All projects were aimed to generate income for women.

Rahela started AWEO one year ago after some basic planning and strategizing. After she registered the company with the Ministry of Economic, she prepared proposals.

With 10 employees, AWEO focuses on empowering rural women in aqua culture and animal husbandry. The company also implements fish farming and has introduced improved breeds of sheep and cattle, which has resulted in higher incomes for the women.

Over the next five years, Rahela’s business goals include increasing the women’s incomes and continuing to provide alterative opportunities for women in rural areas instead of growing poppy.

By attending PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS, Rahela wants to learn more about management skills and get more ideas for starting new businesses as well as how to discover more opportunities in both local and international markets.

NAME: Hamid Hangama

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

BUSINESS: BARAN None Governmental Organization (obstetrics and gynecology health services)

Hamid, 36 years old, owns BARAN None Governmental Organization, which provides training of health services for Afghan mothers and newborn children. The company’s goal is to improve the health services of Afghanistan through the private sector.

Hamid wants to improve her country’s high mother mortality ratio, which is currently 1600/100,000. Through her company, she hopes to give Afghan mothers and infants more access to health services.

BARAN has four trainers, one medical doctor, two midwives and one nurse. Hamid opened BARAN a little over two years ago, and she owns 100 percent. She hopes to increase her staff and their expertise and knowledge.

Outside of BARAN, Hamid works full time in many roles with the Ministry of Public Health.