Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan (HAWCA) is an Afghan national NGO dedicated to working for the social wellbeing of all people with a particular focus on women and children who live in Afghanistan or in refugee communities in Pakistan.

HAWCA recognises that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent forms of discrimination in Afghanistan. The organisation provides direct help and assistance to women facing violence and uses its experience to raise awareness within the communities of Afghanistan, with the national government and internationally. It is currently leading efforts to write Afghanistan’s reports to the UN Committee on the Convention Against All forms of Discrimination Against Women.

HAWCA’s work in Herat Province is one example of its work. HAWCA opened a Legal Aid Centre for Female Victims of Violence, in Herat city in July 2009. Working on violence against women and children is one of the most dangerous activities a group can do in Afghanistan. By refusing to stay silent on this issue and working directly to prevent violence, as well as with victims of violence, HAWCA reminds the international community, as well as the Afghan Government, that violence against women is an impediment to development as well as a breach of women and children’s human rights.

The need is great in Afghanistan: the widespread violence faced by Afghan women is overwhelming. Rapes, acid attacks, cutting of body parts, stoning, sexual assault, domestic battery, killings and sex trafficking are becoming more common, fostered by patriarchal traditions, religious extremism and tribal enmities.

In addition to providing shelter and counseling to women fleeing such violence, HAWCA offers legal aid to those who wish to pursue their cases through the courts. And it provides crisis needs (like food, blankets, wood, and coal distribution in isolated rural areas and in refugee camps); mobile health teams; microcredit; vocational training and classes in entrepreneurship for income-generating projects; schools—from basic literacy classes up through higher education, computer education, and even peace-building studies; and the establishment of safe havens for women and girls escaping networks of sex traffickers.

HAWCA is committed to improving the lives of Afghans and encouraging the active participation of women and young people in the reconstruction and development of their country. It was founded in 1999 by a group of young Afghans – women and men – who for years had been volunteering in Afghan refugee camps along Pakistan’s border.

MISSION

To encourage the active participation of Afghan women in the reconstruction and development of a safe, just society where all Afghans - regardless of race, ethnicity, tribe, language, gender or religion - benefit equally from development.