QFFD and DCF sign grant agreement for women empowerment in Afghanistan

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) yesterday signed a grant agreement to provide financial support for the purpose vocational training project for girls and women in Afghanistan, and to help them meet the needs of the job market. The grant agreement was signed by Director General of Qatar Fund for Development Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari and CEO of Digital Citizen Fund Roya Mahboob.

The signing event, which was held through video conference, was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, and Qatar's ambassador to Afghanistan Saeed Mubarak al-Khayareen. The signed agreement will play a key role in empowering women and girls by offering high quality training and technology in Afghanistan.

Also, it will enable them to gain more skills related to information technology.

The training will cover most vital skill development that will enhance the labour market in Afghanistan such as employment skills, personal skills and skills related to financial matters and business administration.

One of the training programmes will focus on business and entrepreneurial skills and enhancement that will ensure at least 1200 women and girls varying between the age of 14 and 24 years old, to enter the workforce, and that will have a long-term impact, the most significant of which is lowering poverty rates and ameliorating the economic future of their local communities.

Al Khater said: “When someone asks me why Qatar is optimistic about a bright and stable future in Afghanistan, I find myself giving examples on hardworking and dedicated Afghanis, like Roya Mahboob. Despite the war, Roya's Digital Citizen Fund has been providing quality training in the fields of computing and programming for hundreds of girls. This training opens the doors of hope, future and opportunities for them.

"I hope that the agreement signed today with Qatar Fund for Development will pave the way for a new generation of ambitious and dedicated Afghani women, who will undoubtedly play a key role in the stability and prosperity of Afghanistan. Women and girls in Afghanistan are no exception as they too, face multiple barriers when trying to enter, remain, or advance in the workforce,” she added.

Al-Kuwari said that, "They are left behind in a world that is making rapid technological progress. "Here at QFFD, we recognise the importance of SDG 5 — to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. "We believe that women and girls are every country's greatest asset.”

"If invested in properly, they have endless potential to drive the human, social and economic development of nations. Hence, the achievement of the sustainable development goals relies on the empowerment of women,” he added.

On the other hand, Businesswomen and entrepreneur Roya Mahboob said: "With the help of QFFD aid, Digital Citizen Fund will provide young women skills to start and grow businesses that can compete in the worldwide economy. Our dedication to this goal does not waver in the face of difficulty, and the results speak for themselves.”

"Our mission and implementation have continued to flex and grow despite the challenges the world faces with the pandemic," Mahboob added.

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