The State of Qatar has been an outspoken advocate for women’s rights both at home and abroad, and gender equality and female empowerment remain central to the country’s success and vision.
Qatar has the highest percentage of women enrolled in university programmes and, as education is the basis for equal opportunity and development, the country has invested heavily to ensure all women have access to quality education and opportunities in all sectors, especially STEM industries.
Qatar is also working to promote women’s education and empowerment abroad, particularly in underdeveloped countries. On Tuesday, Qatar Fund for Development announced to have signed a grant agreement with Digital Citizen Fund to finance a vocational training project for girls and women in Afghanistan, which will help them meet the needs of the job market.
The QFFD grant will help provide high quality training to girls and women, and help them acquire information technology skills.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, said Qatar was optimistic about a bright and stable future in Afghanistan, thanks to hard work and dedication of the Afghan people.
“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,” the Assistant Foreign Minister said.
Under the agreement, a training programme will focus on business and entrepreneurial skills and development that will enable 1,200 women and girls enter the workforce. The training programme will also help lower poverty rate and improve economic future of the communities.
QFFD Director General Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari highlighted the importance of investing in women, saying women and girls are every country’s greatest assets, with endless potential to drive human, social and economic development of nations. He said the Fund recognises the importance of SDG 5, which is about achieving gender equality and empowering all women.
As US and Nato forces withdraw from Afghanistan this year and the country moves forward from decades of war and fighting, skilled and trained workforce will be crucial to rebuild and develop the nation.
The grant by QFFD and other such initiatives will go a long way in realising the aspirations of the Afghan people for a prosperous, peaceful Afghanistan.
