Dignity - The Right to Exist

Afghanistan, Kabul Province.  2021-2023. Beneficiaries: 640  people in conditions of absolute poverty, mostly women and children.

This project targets those deprived of the dignity to which every human being is entitled and those who are about to drown in the waves of one of the world's greatest humanitarian catastrophes. 

Dignity provides extremely vulnerable families with customised support geared to their individual needs, abilities, aptitudes, family limitations, health conditions, age and other factors. The duration of support depends on family circumstances. 

It gives priority to women heads of households because the condition of women in Afghanistan is among the lowest in the world. At present, Afghan women are forbidden to attend universities and high schools, cannot be employed in jobs previously permitted, cannot be employed by national and international NGOs, or move freely. The poorest women, having no male support, can only rely on charity or go into debt. Eventually their situation deteriorates to the point that they have no way out. Poverty and despair add to already sad situations, such as giving a young daughter in marriage to get money to feed the rest of the family.

The support given by Dignity may include:

• Monthly contributions covering essential expenses such as food and rent;
• Offering literacy courses to adults and minors who have never been to school;
• Medical care and medicines;
• Informal schooling to enable girls to continue their studies despite Taliban restrictions;
• Courses aimed at finding employment;
• Providing skills, equipment, and the materials needed to start a small income-generating business.