Our Work

Education and Literacy

Education is foundational for protection, economic opportunity, and social change. FSWO's community-driven model increases enrolment and retention by addressing local barriers (transport, safety, costs, social norms) and improving school quality.

• Community mobilization and accelerated learning programs
• Basic literacy and numeracy for women; remedial tutoring
• Teacher training; school rehabilitation
• Provision of school supplies and school boxes
• Education-awareness campaigns to reduce dropouts

Target groups: Out-of-school girls and adolescents, women learners, teachers, community education committees.

Vocational Training and Enterprise Development

Skills alone are insufficient without market access; FSWO couples training with business development services and buyer linkages to increase job placement and entrepreneurship success.

• Market assessment; competency-based trainings (tailoring, embroidery, confectionery, cosmetics, ICT, food processing, pickling & jams)
• Business skills, financial literacy, cooperative formation
• Micro-grants and market linkages

Agriculture & Food Security

Modernizing agriculture and diversifying value chains increases household food security and income, particularly in rural areas.

• Short-term agricultural courses for women and youth; greenhouse development
• Improved seeds; small-scale cold storage; post-harvest processing
• Poultry and livestock support; demonstration farms and farmer field schools
• Technical advisory services

Protection, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Crisis-affected women and girls require psychosocial support to recover, participate in programs and rebuild livelihoods. Protection mainstreaming prevents harm across all interventions.

• PSS groups; individual counselling
• GBV case management and safe referrals
• Awareness on child protection and prevention of early marriage
• Training of frontline staff; women-friendly spaces

Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Humanitarian and DRR interventions reduce suffering, stabilize households, and prevent negative coping strategies.

• Rapid assessments; distribution of dignity kits and NFIs
• Food and cash assistance; shelter support; WASH; emergency health referrals
• Community DRR committees and contingency planning

Example — Zindajan Earthquake (Herat): Dignity kits (460 beneficiaries), school boxes (100 students), psychosocial sessions (80 women and girls), and WASH awareness reaching 1,200 people.

Youth Engagement & PVE Prevention

Engaging youth with positive networks and opportunities reduces recruitment into violent movements and strengthens social cohesion.

• Youth forums; civic and political education; sports for peace
• Media campaigns; training in critical thinking and media literacy
• Alternative online coalitions to counter violent narratives

Media, Communications & Culture for Social Change

Behavior change communication is essential to address harmful norms and promote inclusive attitudes.

• Community theatre; radio programmes; social media campaigns
• Brochures and community dialogues on women's rights, education and protection

Health & Nutrition

Integrated health services support participation in education and livelihoods.

• Health awareness; maternal & child health support
• Referrals to public and private health services; mobile clinics
• Mental health awareness

Technology, Innovation & Digital Inclusion

Technology expands reach to hard-to-reach areas and creates new employment opportunities for women.

• Digital literacy for women; e-learning platforms
• Mobile data collection; virtual mentorship
• Support for women-led digital businesses

Target Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries (per year target): 4,000 women and girls (education, vocational training, MHPSS).

Indirect beneficiaries: 20,000 individuals (household and community).

Geographic focus: Urban and rural districts across Kabul, Nangarhar, Herat, Helmand, with plans to scale to additional provinces.