The Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA) on Monday announced the establishment of a new strategy aimed at expanding and supporting Afghan women's economic security.
According to Afghan officials, the new strategy will be introduced to the international community on the eve of International Women's Day. The Afghan government will seek financial and technical support for implementation of the new strategy.
Deputy Minister of Women Affairs Syeda Muzhgan Mustavi believes that the necessary steps were not taken in the past to seek new markets for Afghan women's agricultural products. The new strategy is said to address those past failings.
"This year, the Ministry of Women Affairs has undertaken an effective program for women's economic empowerment, the new document will be announced on the eve of March 8th - International Women's Day," Mustavi said.
"The U.S. government's goal is to work with Afghan women and girls to increase their capability to realize their rights, determine their life outcomes and influence decision making and households, communities and societies," U.S. Embassy representative Amy Tohill-Stull said. "Our strategy is to institutionalize opportunities for the entry and advancement of educated women within the public, private and civil society sectors."
Meanwhile, a number of businesswomen have demanded that vocational training opportunities should be developed to pave the way for larger contributions from women in the economic sector and new opportunities for them in agricultural markets.