Posted on 11/04/2005 3:29:53 PM PST by SandRat
MOH MOOD RAQI, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Nov. 3, 2005) – Various women from Combined Joint Task Force 76 met with the director of the Kapisa Provincial Women’s Center in the village of Moh Mood Raqi, Oct. 25.
“We wanted to discuss ways that the Coalition could help the center,” said Col. Joyce Stevens, base operations commander, 111th Area Support Group, Texas National Guard. “The Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team helped them build the center and supply them with some items, but more is needed.”
After introductions, the women discussed the daily activities offered by the center and major needs with the director, Sayfera Qustini. The goal of Base Operations is to help supply what they can, but to also help the women’s center develop ways to fund itself, said Stevens.
“Our main concerns are getting fuel for their generator, a teacher for a computer class, funding for transportation, food to provide for lunch, and winter clothes for the staff of 26 people,” said Qustini. “We have computers, but no teacher for the class and no electricity to use them with because we can’t afford to buy fuel.”
Daily the women’s clinic offers a class to a group of female orphans in reading and writing. These young women are too old to attend school, but still want the opportunity to learn, said Qustini.
“While the Taliban was in control of my country, I was not allowed to go to school,” said Roya, an orphan attending classes at the clinic. “I’m happy because now I’m learning, not only how to read and write, but other skills like sewing and hopefully soon how to use a computer.”
The clinic also offers sewing and weaving classes, parenting classes, helps women find jobs, teaches them about the rights of women under the new government, and counsels women and their husbands if need be, said the Qustini. Soon they’d like to start some classes aimed at educating men on the rights of women.
“As the women’s roles in Afghanistan change with the new government, clinics like the one in Moh Mood Raqi will be needed to help educate and support the women,” said Stevens. “The meeting was a success and together we are working on ways for them to become self-funding.”
Afghan Women learning to take Charge.
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