APWA formed by IRCRA to strengthen leadership of Afghan women

ISLAMABAD, June 6: Af-Pak Women’s Association (APWA) formed by IRCRA to strengthen the leadership of Afghan women and girls in forced displacement. The recent withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and Taliban’s subsequent taking over of the government has pushed more than 300,000 Afghans to Pakistan. These Afghans refugees particularly women and girls in Pakistan face multi-faceted protection challenges. Some of the services being provided like education, health and vocational training are limited in scope and capacity, and the needs of the Afghans women and girls are far greater than what is provided. Displaced Afghan women and girls are disproportionately affected as they tend to have limited access to platforms to engage with each other, and with host communities, which results in isolation and sense of social deprivation. They also often face enormous cultural and political obstacles to engage in economic activities to generate income. In addition, intersecting identities including their ethnicity, disability, displacement, marital status, and sexual orientation, puts them in a disadvantageous position. The International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA), which is already working with Afghan religious scholars and youth, organized a one-day session with the displaced Afghan women and girls to discuss their problems in the host country. Mr. IsrarMadani, president IRCRA, briefed the participants about their work on strengthening the people-to-people contact between Afghanistan and Pakistan. On his recommendation, a forum called “Af-Pak Women Association (APWA)” was formally established to strengthen the leadership of Afghan women and girls in forced displacement and to resolve their issues in the host country. NNI