Gwendy, Jim, Kate, Laura, Paula, Ray and Toni in Kabul--February 2005.
Bpeace (Business Council for Peace) believes the path to peace is lined with jobs. We work with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women. More jobs mean less violence.®
Who are the Afghan women Bpeace is working with?
There are 22 entrepreneurial Afghan women in Bpeace programs.
Seven are engaged in diversified businesses including freight forwarding, construction, media and HR services.
Fifteen are currently engaged in apparel and accessory production in Kabul, employing 12-200 women doing piece work in their homes and small workshops. They were selected by Bpeace members, who during a June 2004 mission to Kabul, assessed the candidatesâ business potential and craftsmanship, much of which reflects the long and rich Afghan tradition of hand-embroidery. As part of our Style Road Trip program, in May 2005 we will bring them to New York for three weeks of technical and business training that will include classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, workshops with leading fashion designers and site visits to retailers and manufacturers along the entire American consumer spectrum. Upon completion, the women will return home to improve their products, grow their businesses and train others in what they have learned.
Bpeace provides distance mentoring, training and networking opportunities for these women and helps develop local and international markets for their products and services.
Women for Afghan Women is our partner in the Style Road Trip. Together we recevied a seed grant from the US State Departmentâs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
What is the purpose of this Bpeace mission to Kabul?
Training (including classes in product development, how to make a profit, and business communication)
Preparation of Associates for Style Road Trip to New York in May 2005
Business Development (research and analysis on what industries are likely to support significant job creation in Afghanistan)
Funding and Financing (meet potential donors for Bpeace projects, and lenders for the womenâs emerging businesses)
Who is paying for this Bpeace mission?
We are, out of our pockets. Bpeace members pay for their own travel on missions, thereby ensuring that donor funds raised go directly into programs for our women in the field.