Programs and Initiatives

1. MadebyAfghanwomen.com

An Online Sales Platform

Made by Afghan Women is an online marketplace for authentic Afghan products created by women in various parts of the country. This e-commerce site offers a platform for Afghan women-owned businesses to showcase and sell their unique, handmade products directly to shoppers around the globe. Our mission is to connect Afghan businesswomen with the digital economy and enhance the visibility of their products worldwide. The Made by Afghan Women e-commerce platform seeks to empower Afghan women by providing them the opportunity to sell their products internationally.

Within this program activity, our focus remains steadfast on advancing the portal’s development while concurrently providing training and assistance to women in establishing, maintaining, and optimizing their online shops. To ensure women are equipped with the requisite skills to leverage the portal optimally, we plan implementing the following regular training program:

Training on digital sales and marketing
Training on how to create the digital shops on the platform and maintaining them
Customer Service
Product design for international audience
Social Media, content creation and promotion

Under this program activity, we will conduct social media promotions and in-person promotion events.

As we advance our efforts in Afghanistan and establish connections with two additional countries in 2024, we will consider the feasibility of developing dedicated online marketplaces tailored to their specific needs. Alternatively, we will explore avenues for assisting them in establishing their digital presence through existing platforms. To achieve this, we will formulate a comprehensive plan once we have solidified our relationships and assessed the requirements and preferences of the respective regions.

2. Khadija Award and Khadija Trade programs

The award was founded by Manizha Wafeq, one of the founders of several institutions such as PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Network, Leading Entrepreneurs for Afghanistan’s Development (LEAD) which led to the establishment of Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of commerce and Industry (AWCCI). The annual award was launched on the 19th of November 2015 which is a United Nation's recognized day for Women’s Entrepreneurship. The award is named after Bibi Khadija Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as she has been the legendary and successful businesswomen in the history of Islam and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was working for her. The Award logo symbolizes a woman leading a caravan of trading Camels as it was done back then.

This is an annual award that follows a specific procedure and categories for selecting successful women entrepreneurs from all over Afghanistan each year. Since its launch in 2015, we have recognized and provided cash prizes for the business development of 80 businesses from across the country until 2023.

The award has two categories: an honorary category and a competitive category. The honorary category is determined by the leadership, while the competitive category follows a thorough call for applications, evaluation, and selection process conducted by an independent committee of 3 to 5 judges.

GWTC remains committed to hosting its annual award ceremony in Afghanistan and expanding its reach to include two additional countries in conflict with Muslim-majority populations. To promote this annual award, GWTC will organize a complementary conference for women-owned businesses in collaboration with local women's business associations and, where feasible, government entities. Initially, these events will be conducted online to ensure accessibility and safety, with plans to transition to in-person gatherings as resources become available and circumstances allow. This approach will enable GWTC to effectively support and recognize women entrepreneurs in these regions while adapting to evolving needs and conditions.

3. Women Entrepreneurship Development Fund (long-term without interest loan and grants for women entrepreneurs)

Every survey conducted with Afghan women entrepreneurs and various literature show that one of the major challenges faced by women in countries affected by conflict and developing economies is the lack of finances and capital to start or expand a business.

The Women Entrepreneurship Development Fund is a pivotal initiative aimed at fostering the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses over the long term. This fund operates as a financial mechanism designed to provide women entrepreneurs with access to much-needed capital without the burden of interest payments, thereby reducing financial barriers and promoting economic empowerment.

Its distinguishing feature is that it provides long-term, interest-free loans to businesswomen. This arrangement requires female entrepreneurs to develop strategic repayment plans, thereby fostering responsible financial management and discouraging reliance on gratuitous funding for business operations.

4. Research and Development

Research and development are essential to our mission and enhance the effectiveness of our initiatives. We will conduct comprehensive surveys and studies in Afghanistan and other countries where we operate, focusing on women-owned businesses, their sectors, their needs and challenges, the jobs they have created, and how they can be supported.

Engaging with local stakeholders, such as community leaders and NGOs, will ensure that our research reflects local knowledge and addresses community needs. We will combine quantitative data with qualitative insights- including interviews and focus groups- to gain a holistic understanding and identify trends that can guide our strategies. This commitment to thorough research not only supports our immediate goals but also strengthens our policy advocacy efforts, enabling us to provide evidence-based recommendations to decision-makers for sustainable development and positive change in the regions we serve.

5. Advocacy

We will establish women’s business committees to foster collaboration and improve the business environment for all women in society. Our goal is to help women come together, create their own frameworks and governance structures, and learn how to advocate for their concerns and interests effectively. We will support these committees, as well as established associations, in developing their business agendas.

6. Networking

We will organize frequent virtual gatherings, connecting women within each country and across borders, with the purpose of pairing them to exchange knowledge, share experiences, offer advice, and collectively contribute to each other’s success.