UN Women Empowers 120 Women and Girls With Disabilities
Tawazon – On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UN Women released a report highlighting the progress of a community-based training center in Afghanistan that has helped empower 120 women and girls with visual and hearing disabilities.
For many of these women, especially those who lost their sight during adolescence or were born blind, years of conflict, social stigma, and limited educational opportunities had pushed them into isolation They had limited access to education, faced social barriers, and often depended on others for daily tasks.
With support from UN Women, a specialized training center has provided a safe and inclusive space where women with disabilities can learn practical skills such as handicrafts, financial literacy and basic business training. The center also works to raise awareness about the rights and abilities of people with disabilities.
Eighteen months ago, the center had only one small classroom and limited resources. Today, it has expanded to four solar-powered container classrooms equipped with Braille typewriters, computers, printers, and teaching materials. So far 120 women and girls with disabilities have completed different training programs.
According to the report, the impact has extended beyond the students themselves. The program has helped participants regain confidence, make new friends and reconnect with their communities. Some are now able to manage daily activities independently,access health services on their own, or earn an income through handicrafts.
UN Women emphasized that empowering women with disabilities is essential for gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainable development in Afghanistan. Expanding access to education and economic skills, the organiztion noted, can transform the lives of women with disabilities and help reduce social isolation and discrimination.
