We are proud to share that Women for Afghan Women’s (WAW) Afghanistan Country Director, Fareed-ud-Din NOORI, has been elected to the Steering Committee of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development (ACBAR).
Established in 1988, ACBAR is a national, independent non-governmental organization (NGO) serving as a vital platform for national and international NGOs operating in Afghanistan. Its main areas of focus include coordination and information sharing, advocacy and enabling environment, and capacity development for member organizations.
At the Annual General Assembly, Noori shared his vision, stating:
“It will be my utmost effort to ensure that girls’ education, women’s empowerment, and women’s right to work remain central to our discussions, communications, and collaborations throughout the upcoming one-year tenure.”
This 15-member committee represents ACBAR’s 211-member organization and is responsible for monitoring, guiding, and assisting the secretariat’s activities. Notably, 33% of the newly elected committee members are women, and the committee is chaired by a woman, reflecting a positive shift toward gender inclusion and leadership.
WAW’s Executive Director, Dr. Susan Aryan Antolin, shared:
“We are so proud of this incredible achievement and invitation for Noori to join ACBAR’s Steering Committee. It truly speaks volumes to his leadership and dedication to supporting women and girls’ rights and dignity. We look forward to supporting Noori’s journey with ACBAR, and are so excited to have him represent WAW on this level.”
WAW became a member of ACBAR in September 2022. Following the events of August 2021 in Afghanistan, NGOs, especially women-led and women-focused organizations, faced immense challenges. In early 2022, during a critical period for WAW, we recognized the importance of aligning with the broader NGO community. Rather than working in isolation, we believed that joining a collective platform would strengthen our voice and support our sustainability.
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