DATES: September 2005 - September 2008

 

The Women Enterprise Development Project, implemented by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), is a three-year project designed to help Afghan women participate in the market economy by enhancing their business development skills and earning potential. These goals will be achieved by strengthening Afghanistan’s Women Business Federation (AWBF). Through CIPE, AWBF membership increased by 50% between FY 06 and FY 07; an AWBF Design Center was created; and the “Made by Afghan Women” Program was launched. Between January and September 2007 the AWBF Training Center trained 301 women and 166 men in both Kabul and the provinces. CIPE has also awarded 10 small grants of $10,000 each to women business associations. CIPE's future goals include creating seven joint ventures, technology transfers, and/or import-export transactions and growing AWBF financial capacity by 10%. By providing a range of business association assistance and capacity building, the U.S. Government will help Afghan women engage in economic development initiatives and increase their earning potential.