Afghan Women Empowerment Program

The Afghan Women Empowerment Program aims to provide Afghan women and girls with a platform to connect, exchange resources, and engage with influential female guest speakers. The program focuses on equipping participants with knowledge on key topics related to immigrants, women, and offering support to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

There are two main components of the Afghan Women Empowerment Program:

Monthly Sessions: These gatherings offer women and girls the chance to make new friends, share resources, and interact with esteemed guest speakers who are providing valuable information on specific topics relevant to immigrants. Moreover, a presentation is delivered in each session based on the participants’ needs and demands. The initiative began in February 2024. In these sessions, topics such as mental health, resources for immigrants, mentorship programs, state housing and importance of parents’ engagement in their children’s education are covered. 

In addition, on April 12th, the Afghan Women Group organized and hosted a vibrant Eid-ul-Fitr celebration to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The event served as a wonderful opportunity for Afghan families in Lowell to gather and share an afternoon filled with delicious traditional foods, moving poetry, joyful music, and inspiring speeches from distinguished guest speakers. Beyond the festivities, the event offered a meaningful platform for the Afghan community to celebrate and showcase their rich cultural heritage. Attendees included not only local families but also representatives from various civic organizations in Lowell, fostering greater understanding, connection, and cultural exchange within the broader community.

In addition, six Mental Health Well-Being sessions are scheduled as part of the program from September 2024 to February 2025. These sessions are designed to provide participants with essential information and practical guidelines on mental health, with a particular focus on coping strategies after immigration.

The sessions will include both general education on mental health and opportunities for participants to engage in group therapy, fostering support, resilience, and community connection.

Mentorship Program: 

The Afghan Women Group launched a Mentorship Program designed to empower Afghan girls who are high school students, recent high school graduates, or current college students. Each participant is thoughtfully paired with a professional mentor who provides guidance, encouragement, and practical support in areas such as improving English language skills and working toward both personal and professional goals. The duration of the program is six months, during which mentors and mentees meet at least once every two weeks to build meaningful relationships and track progress.

On April 12th, we proudly celebrated the successful completion of the program’s first round. During a special ceremony, we honored the hard work and dedication of both mentors and mentees by presenting them with certificates of achievement. The celebration not only recognized their commitment but also highlighted the powerful impact of mentorship in helping young Afghan women navigate their paths with confidence and clarity. The second round of the Mentorship Program began on August and will end in January 2025. There are eight mentees in the current program. 

Below is a few feedback of the Afghan Empowerment Program:

Suraya:

This program is truly wonderful. It has a calming and peaceful effect on one’s mind. It helps us understand each other better, while also getting to know a new culture and the laws. It's a great way for women to build confidence, share their concerns, support one another, and reduce stress. I’m thankful to Bahara for leading this impactful program.

Friba:

I attend this program with my two daughters, and we all enjoy it. The program is not only educational, covering important topics, but also provides us the opportunity to meet fellow Afghan women. It’s a space where we learn valuable things while spending quality time, with less stress and worry. I hope it continues because it’s really beneficial.

Sawgand:

Attending this program has helped me build stronger connections. The sessions are beneficial, and I plan to take them more seriously moving forward. I hope we can have more practical sessions like hairdressing, tailoring, cooking, and driving as well through this program.

Pahlawee:

I’ve learned so much from this program and feel fortunate to be a part of it. Meeting new people and learning from them has been a rewarding experience. My mother and I are always excited to attend the sessions.