On January 29, the first meeting of the SAWE organization with women engineers was held in Herat Province. The session was attended by members of the SAWE team and was managed and facilitated by Samira Hassani, Project Manager of SAWE.

A significant number of women engineers from Herat Province participated in this meeting. The participants expressed great satisfaction and strong support for the establishment and launch of an organization that focuses specifically on the empowerment and support of women engineers, describing it as an important and hopeful step toward supporting professional women under the current circumstances.

In addition, several female engineering students who have been prevented from continuing their studies due to existing restrictions attended the meeting. These students welcomed the establishment of SAWE and expressed hope for the launch of programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives for women engineers and students. They emphasized that such initiatives are vital for maintaining motivation, enhancing skills, and ensuring the continued professional growth of women.

Another part of the meeting was dedicated to discussions and exchanges of views on practical activities and future programs of SAWE in Herat Province. Participants shared their perspectives, suggestions, and needs, and stressed the importance of coordination, active participation of women engineers, and the implementation of effective programs at the provincial level.

As the first official step of SAWE in Herat, this meeting provided a platform for communication, collaboration, and collective thinking among women engineers and students, and increased hope for the successful implementation of impactful programs in the future.
Click the link below to view the event recording and photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ugbS9F_RKtkEYpVZme6G1c3MbSxG9oLj?usp=drive_link

The session was led by Rooh Afza Abobakr, who delivered an insightful and interactive discussion on the importance of mindset, self-awareness, and inner growth alongside technical skills. The webinar created a safe and meaningful space where participants openly shared their experiences, reflected on personal challenges, and explored strategies for building confidence and purpose in difficult environments.

The discussion emphasized that professional success is not only shaped by technical knowledge but also by emotional resilience, clarity of goals, and continuous self-development. An engaging Q&A session followed, allowing participants to ask questions and exchange perspectives related to career growth, motivation, and long-term vision.

The session concluded with positive feedback from participants, who expressed appreciation for the supportive atmosphere and the relevance of the topic to their current realities.

Through initiatives like this, SAWE remains committed to creating empowering learning spaces that nurture Afghan women engineers holistically—both professionally and personally.

More inspiring and capacity-building sessions will be shared in the future.

The event opened with remarks by Sahar Mahmood, Founder and Director of SAWE, who shared the organization’s journey, vision, and the motivation behind establishing a supportive platform for Afghan women engineers.

The celebration was enriched by the presence of Engineer Hamayon Ibrahim, Rahila Nasimi, and Khalida Tawakkoli, who shared inspiring reflections and encouraged participants to continue striving for growth, learning, and unity.

As part of the program, participants took part in a symbolic sketching activity dedicated to the Pillar of Shaheed Farkhunda, creating a moment of reflection, remembrance, and solidarity. This was followed by an open discussion session where attendees shared their thoughts, emotions, and hopes for the future of SAWE.

The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and networking session, providing space for connection, dialogue, and strengthening bonds within the community.

SAWE extends its heartfelt appreciation to Engineer Hamayon Ibrahim and Engineer Zabihullah Ghyasi for their generous financial support and for arranging the venue, which made this meaningful celebration possible.

This first anniversary marked not only a milestone in SAWE’s journey, but also a reaffirmation of its mission, to stand with Afghan women engineers, amplify their voices, and continue building pathways for empowerment, learning, and resilience.
Click the link below to view the event recording and photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y0b9c2ziHky1Xqz4PbZ5sDsEEGNRcYmz?usp=drive_link

The gathering was honored by the presence of Sanam Ahmadi, Urban Planner and Researcher, who joined the discussion to share insights from her research project and exchange ideas on the future of women in engineering in Afghanistan.

During the session, participants openly spoke about their educational paths, professional experiences, and personal aspirations. Despite the many challenges limiting access to opportunities, the conversation reflected strength, determination, and a shared belief in a better future.

This gathering served as a powerful reminder that connection builds strength, shared stories create understanding, and hope remains a form of resilience.

SAWE remains committed to creating spaces where Afghan women engineers can support one another, learn together, and continue believing in their potential—no matter the circumstances.

Click the link below to view the event photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oZt1Hevz5Z8EU3VNRWI8_Sh4hf9ZSy_g?usp=drive_link

The two-day training brought together 45+ participants from multiple provinces, including Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Badakhshan, Bamiyan, Nangarhar, Kandahar, and others. Participants came from diverse professional backgrounds such as engineering, agriculture, environmental sciences, community leadership, and management.

The sessions focused on key topics including climate change fundamentals, adaptation strategies, disaster risk reduction practices, and community-based resilience. Through interactive presentations, group discussions, and Q&A sessions, participants actively shared local experiences and explored practical solutions relevant to their communities.

Despite limited resources, the training created a meaningful learning space where participants gained valuable knowledge, increased environmental awareness, and strengthened their capacity to respond to climate-related risks.

This program reflects the continued commitment of Act for Climate and SAWE to empowering youth—especially women—with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
Event Recording & Materials:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XjbM0dHUfKJzMEFwjqxQFQOmwRuUp7yM?usp=drive_link

The webinar opened with a welcome from the SAWE team, outlining the objectives of the session and emphasizing the importance of access to higher education opportunities for Afghan youth. The main presentation was delivered by Marwa Wardak, a third-year medical student at Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa, who shared a clear, step-by-step overview of the Türkiye Scholarship application process. Drawing from her own experience, she provided practical guidance on eligibility requirements, required documents, and key tips for submitting a strong application.

The session was further enriched by Zulaikha Hamidi, Founder of She Leads Business, who contributed valuable insights and advice, helping participants better understand how to prepare competitive applications and plan their academic journeys.

An interactive Q&A session followed, during which participants asked thoughtful questions regarding the scholarship process, timelines, and study opportunities in Türkiye. Both speakers provided detailed and encouraging responses, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Participants expressed strong appreciation for the clarity of the information shared and the opportunity to learn directly from experienced scholars. Many highlighted the session as both informative and motivating.

This webinar reflects SAWE’s continued commitment to empowering Afghan students by expanding access to educational opportunities and providing practical guidance for academic advancement. SAWE remains dedicated to supporting youth, especially women in building a brighter and more sustainable future through education.

The webinar began with a brief welcome from the SAWE team, highlighting the importance of professional documentation in today’s competitive job market. The main session was led by Ghezal Kohestani, a Civil Engineering student and Nvolve Scholar, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on how to create effective, well-structured CVs and resumes.

During her presentation, Ghezal shared practical guidance on organizing content, highlighting relevant skills, tailoring resumes for different opportunities, and avoiding common mistakes. Her insights helped participants better understand how to reflect both academic and professional experiences in a clear and impactful way.

The session continued with an engaging discussion, where participants asked thoughtful questions related to job applications, internships, and early-career challenges. The interactive nature of the webinar created a supportive learning environment and encouraged active participation.

The program concluded with a motivational closing speech by Engineer Hamayon Ibrahim, who emphasized perseverance, continuous learning, and self-belief as key elements of professional growth. His words left participants encouraged and inspired to continue investing in their personal and career development.

Participants shared positive feedback following the session, expressing appreciation for the practical content, clear explanations, and supportive atmosphere. Many highlighted the relevance of the topic and the value of learning directly from experienced peers.

This webinar reflects SAWE’s ongoing commitment to empowering Afghan professionals, especially women, by providing accessible learning opportunities that strengthen confidence, skills, and career readiness.

Event Recording & Materials:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gSjGGu0pgbwOjT-IXWIY0WC_s4ZwDJAV?usp=drive_link

The session began with a warm welcome by Madina Faizi, who greeted attendees and set the stage for the event. The webinar's main speaker, Maryam Khurram, an Architect and Urban Planner and a 2022 Chevening Scholar, shared her inspiring journey. Maryam detailed her experience of successfully securing the scholarship on her first attempt and delivered a concise, informative presentation covering the entire application process. Her presentation included tips on eligibility, crafting a compelling personal statement, and selecting references, ensuring all attendees gained practical insights.

The presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where participants asked a variety of questions about the application process and scholarship requirements. Maryam provided detailed and helpful responses, addressing all concerns and encouraging attendees to apply with confidence.

The event concluded with attendees sharing positive feedback. Participants expressed gratitude for the clear and informative session and applauded SAWE, along with Sahar Mahmood, for organizing such an inclusive and valuable program.

This webinar was a significant step in SAWE’s broader mission to create empowering opportunities, offering practical guidance to individuals across Afghanistan in their pursuit of academic and professional excellence.

Here is the link to the recorded video of the event: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DMJ0VuLGa57t6TVpVL2_3HmF-ciV1dxS?usp=drive_link

The session began with an insightful presentation by Sahar Mahmood, the founder of SAWE, who introduced the organization's vision, mission, and the reasons behind its creation. Sahar highlighted the challenges faced by female engineers in Afghanistan and the critical need for an organization like SAWE to empower and support Afghan women in the engineering field. She emphasized the role SAWE will play in providing mentorship, fostering innovation, and promoting gender equality in engineering.

Following the presentation, we held a lively Q&A session led by Sahar Mahmood and Madina Faizi, the co-founder of SAWE. During this segment, participants raised several thoughtful questions regarding the organization's strategy and future activities. Sahar and Madina addressed these inquiries, providing clarity on SAWE's approach to overcoming obstacles and achieving its objectives.

The meetup concluded with an outpouring of support from all participants. Many attendees expressed their enthusiasm for the organization’s mission and offered valuable suggestions for SAWE's growth and development. Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration, networking, and spreading awareness about SAWE to ensure the success of its initiatives. Several attendees also shared ideas on potential partnerships, funding opportunities, and strategies to expand the organization’s reach.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and positive feedback received during this event. This virtual meetup marks the beginning of a series of collaborative and empowering events that will further strengthen the role of Afghan women engineers in the country's future.

We look forward to continuing this journey and are excited about the future of SAWE as a platform for learning, growth, and change. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with SAWE.

Together, we will create a brighter future for Afghan women in engineering!

We engaged with participants who were eager to learn about our plans and offer support. A special thanks to Sanam Ahmadi for their dedication in helping us showcase our organization at this important event.

Click the link below to view the event recording and photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16t88Z9hg7m7LpXE-Xgh36JyZYaIrQMzd?usp=drive_link

The meeting aimed to explore UN Women's new opportunities and initiatives for collaborating with women-led organizations and understand how ERP systems can enhance efficiency in NGO/CSO operations. Additionally, it provided a platform for participants to engage in consultations on the sustainability and future development of the NGOs/CSOs networking platform.

Click the link below to view the event photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GSKZsRlYlf7K2IqfNA50RCiHlBMlhUBC?usp=drive_link