Sewing Circles of Helmand

In a small room the steady clack clack of sewing machines drift out amongst the gentle chatter of women as they sew together brightly coloured dresses and garments. The women are taking part in one of their regular sewing classes held in the Department of Women’s Affairs (DoWA) in Lashkar Gah.

When President Hamid Karzai came to power, DoWA was established within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to promote the understanding of the legal rights of women in the country, and to provide support to the women. One two facilities, the other located in Gereshk, the office in Lashkar Gah city is headed up by two local women; Jamila and Soleikha, and mentored by the UK Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). These centres are busy helping the women of their cities get educated, ensuring their legal rights are represented and working with the communities in which they live to resolve issues.

“Women are part of the community, and this country which is why someone needs to stand up for them” says Soleikha.