Photography Credit: Les Stone Photography Credit: Les Stone
Facing page, A woman in Nigeria shows her creation from skills she learned with the help of Women for Women International. Facing page inset, Women for Women International working in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Top left, Women for Women International participants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bottom left, Women in Rwanda take classes sponsored by Women for Women International. Top right, A mother at Women for Women International in Rwanda. Bottom right, Women in Afghanistan participate in a Women for Women International class.
in the places they live. So that’s why it’s a long-term and gradual process, but it starts one woman at a time.” The WfWI program offers job training tailored to the specific countries. In Afghanistan, women are taught how to cut gems, goat keeping, and rug weaving. In the Parwan and Nangarhar provinces, Afghan women learn how to produce fresh eggs to sell at the local markets. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women are trained in greenhouse management skills to grow, cultivate, and make a living through vegetable sales. Another integral job training program in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a partnership with Kate Spade New York to utilize skills in knitting and embroidery. Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo specialize in ceramics production, tailoring, and soap making, while in Iraq, women study hairdressing and screen printing.
The ultimate goal is to achieve more peaceful and stable societies. “The work of one organization is just one small part of that,” Oser says. “But we believe by helping women to build skills and improve their resilience and ability to deal with some of the most difficult situations in the world, those women can have an influence overall on long-term peace and stability.” Along with helping women around the world, WfWI is committed to providing a diverse workplace. Employees at headquarters are fairly diverse, attracting people from many of the countries where WfWI works. Only national staff is hired in the country offices, including leadership and senior management roles, with the exception of the occasional interim country director if needed during transition periods. “We provide training and mentorship opportunities to staff in our
country offices,” says Oser. “This could include bringing managers from a specific function together for a conference where they can learn from each other and share experiences, or it might be sponsoring a particular staff member to attend training or paying for some additional courses.” Regional team members from headquarters are sent to the field to work with staff in the country offices so employees can benefit and learn from one another. Funded through sponsorships, donations, and corporate partnerships, Women for Women International is doing its part for a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable society worldwide. Staff and volunteers work with women whose lives may not have been rebuilt otherwise. With the help of WfWI, these women are moving from poverty to economic self-sufficiency to create real, lasting change in their part of the world. PDJ
July/August 2013
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