In 2010 CFUW-Ottawa hosted the CFUW National AGM. The program included a full day conference on the 3 D’s in Afghanistan. Members of CFUW Ottawa had become interested in Afghan women and girls and wanted to help them shape their future.
Dr. Samar of Gawharshad Institute of Higher Learning (GIHE) spent a week in Ottawa and some CFUW members attended many meetings and open sessions with her.
That September they formed a study group and called it University Women Helping Afghan Women or UWHAW, and continue to this day be motivated and guided by their three original goals:
1. To continue to learn of the current issues facing women and girls in Afghanistan
2. To raise awareness about them locally, nationally, and internationally
3. To help in whatever way possible, specifically with fundraising for scholarships for girls at GIHE
The goals are to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges affecting Afghan women and to advocate on their behalf.
Due to culture and tradition, women in Afghanistan have been marginalized and their rights have been significantly ignored throughout history.
Dr. Samar recognized the urgent need for a consistent, evolutionary and positive movement to create an environment that would enable Afghan women to take an active part in the social, political and economic life of their country.
As part of its mission to create greater space and opportunities for Afghan women, the Gawharshad Institute of Higher Education established the Women’s Empowerment Centre in March 2011. Since then the Centre has played a considerable role in ensuring women’s full participation in the academic life of Gawharshad.
In addition the Centre strives
• To improve the education and employment opportunities for female students
• To facilitate opportunities in their capacity building
The Scholarship Program at Gawharshad aims to empower women through higher education by providing financial assistance to young women who demonstrate great leadership skills but who do not have the financial capacity to pursue their education beyond high school.
One of the first graduates: Sonia Akbar. Sonia graduated from the law faculty in 2014 where she was a very active student. After graduation she passed the intern exam and worked as an intern with the primary court in a Kabul district. In 2015 she qualified to work as a lawyer, and since has resolved more than 50 cases. She is trying to help other needy girls and women by advising them and fighting for their rights.
UWHAW continues to assist Afghan women to complete university and other higher education studies.
