The work is harder than ever.
We are not going anywhere.
Despite unprecedented restrictions on women's rights, WAW continues operating across Afghanistan — expanding programs, building coalitions, and refusing to abandon the women and girls who need us most.
Afghanistan is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
A country in crisis
For decades, the Afghan people have suffered deeply from increased poverty and human rights violations, a deteriorating economy, and ongoing instability. Vulnerable populations — particularly women, girls, and young children — face the most significant hardships in this environment.
Rooted in community for over two decades
Women for Afghan Women (WAW) was registered in Afghanistan in 2006. It is an apolitical, non-profit organization that adheres to all the laws governing non-governmental organizations and their related activities in Afghanistan.
WAW's grassroots approach in Afghanistan means the organisation hires locally and uses its knowledge and understanding of local law, culture, traditions, customs, and challenges to inform its programming and services. WAW provides humanitarian aid, safe shelter, counselling, education, vocational training, advocacy, economic empowerment, healthcare access, logistical support to partners, and community outreach to protect and empower women, children, and other members of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
WAW has been providing services to vulnerable communities, especially women and children, nationwide. The organization works in general protection, GBV Protection, Children Protection, community engagement and women's empowerment, livelihood, NFI procurement, management, logistics, and supply of NFI/CRI, Shelter Construction and Renovation, humanitarian emergency aid, renovation of underserved schools, self-reliance, monitoring of construction projects, mental health and psychosocial support, and community-based protection monitoring.
We are not going anywhere
Political crisis has not ended our work. It made it more urgent. With 79 measures now in place that directly target women and girls' access to education and employment, WAW's presence on the ground remains one of the few remaining lifelines for Afghan women and their families.
"We will never give up on Afghan women and girls."
WAW's Current Programs
While WAW continues building strategic partnerships to keep Afghan women at the forefront of global advocacy, we are actively operating on the ground across 22 provinces with 235 staff — reaching 54,916 direct beneficiaries (households) in 2026.
Children's Support Center (CSC)
WAW's CSC provides a secure haven for children ages 5 to 18 living in prison alongside their incarcerated parents — despite having committed no crimes. One CSC now serves families across nine provinces, providing around-the-clock shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care, and psychosocial support. Children receive help reintegrating into society when parents are released, and parents receive counseling to prepare for life after release.
Women's Protection in Drought-Affected Areas
In partnership with UNOCHA, under AHF, WAW prevents, mitigates, and responds to gender-based violence in nine districts in the Northern Region. The program delivers relief packages to affected women and girls, provides psychosocial support through group and individual counseling, offers GBV case management and referrals, and distributes dignity kits to those facing the most acute hygiene needs. At least 70% of beneficiaries are women and girls.
Women's Protection Program
In partnership with UNHCR across the South, Central Highlands, Southeast, East, North, and Northeast regions, WAW operates Women Community Centers — safe spaces where women and girls access livelihoods support, recreational activities, psychosocial services, and hygiene kits. The program also strengthens community awareness about GBV and connects vulnerable individuals to multi-sectoral services.
Children Protection Services
In partnership with UNHCR in the East, South, and North regions, WAW strengthens protection services for children at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence among IDPs, returnees, and host communities. Services include comprehensive case management, psychosocial support programs, and Child-Friendly Spaces integrated into community centres.
Protection Case Management (PCM)
In partnership with UNHCR across five regions, WAW provides structured case management for displaced persons, returnees, and individuals with specific protection needs who cannot access support through existing services. Each case follows a sustained process from identification through closure, using UNHCR's KOBO-based tools to ensure consistency and accountability.
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
In partnership with UNHCR in the Southeast, North, and Northeast regions, WAW addresses the psychological toll of decades of conflict, displacement, and instability — particularly among women, children, and persons with disabilities. Services include individual counseling, group psychosocial activities, referrals to specialized clinical care, and community psychoeducation to build long-term resilience.
2025 Key Accomplishments
2025 Annual Report →
2025 Annual Report
Complete data on WAW's impact across Afghanistan and the United States — program by program.
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