Paving the Way for Women in Government - Chemonics International

Promote: Women in Government Project

Project Dates: April 2015 - April 2020

Historically, women have been extremely underrepresented in the Afghan government, and as a result, they have had limited ability to shape policies and programs that directly affect them.

Afghan women face a number of obstacles to working in the government, including widely held beliefs that women should stay at home and out of public workspaces. To counter these views, the USAID Promote: Women in Government project focuses on increasing women’s participation in decision-making roles in Afghanistan’s government. One-year internship programs for female high school and university graduates are helping women to obtain government jobs. The project also works with government ministries to assess human resource policies and recommend changes that will provide a better working environment for women. Additionally, the project aims to increase local community support for women working in government through innovative nationwide communications campaigns.

Project Goals

Train and provide hands-on experience to 3,000 female high school and university graduates to promote their entry into the government workforce
Partner with ministries to assess and improve human resource policies that cultivate a more hospitable working environment for women in government
Conduct innovative communications campaigns to encourage changes in perception and acceptance of women working in the Afghan Civil Service

Our Impact Transforming Afghanistan’s Future

A unique year-long program is changing the lives of young Afghan women.

Read Impact Story

Applying the Principles for Digital Development to Real-World Challenges

It’s easy enough to talk about using the Principles for Digital Development (PDD). This set of best practices for technology usage, developed by donors, implementers, and stakeholders around the world, has been increasingly embraced the past few years and with good reason: they provide straightforward, intuitive guidance on how to choose and use appropriate technology…

The Power of a Picture: Elevating Women’s Voices through Art

The global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign calls for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence (GBV). It takes place every year between November 25 and December 10, culminating on Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day celebrates universal rights — including the rights to life, liberty, and security — that are…

Facilitating Gender Equitable Policy Reform: Four Principles

Policy reform and implementation are always a challenge for donors and implementing partners. In transitional states, this process is even more complicated by shifting incentives and priorities. A facilitative approach can overcome these challenges. We have witnessed this in Afghanistan, where the right balance of coordination and direct technical assistance is accelerating reforms to promote…

Paving the Way for Women in Government.

Promote: Women in Government Project

Project Goals

Our Impact Transforming Afghanistan’s Future

Promoting Unity in Ukraine

Strengthening Somali Governance

Strengthening Municipal Governance in Jordan

The Journey to Inclusive Finance in Afghanistan

Introducing Innovative Agricultural Methods in Sri Lanka

Better Data for Better Farms in Ghana

Applying the Principles for Digital Development to Real-World Challenges

The Power of a Picture: Elevating Women’s Voices through Art

Facilitating Gender Equitable Policy Reform: Four Principles