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Learn More About Afghanistan
In May 2008, Hagar Afghanistan was established as Hagar International's first step outside Cambodia. By July 2008, Hagar Afghanistan was fully registered with the government. Next steps included assembling a small staff, assessing gaps in services, and identifying potential partnerships.
Through a parntership with IOM (International Organization for Migration), we established much-needed shelter services for women and children who were trafficked, abused, and/or sexually exploited. Mothers fleeing abuse arrived with their children. Even more children arrived unaccompained, having been abandoned, abused, or trafficked.
In early 2010, Hagar Afghanistan launched a Trafficking in Persons Capacity-Building Program (TIPCAP). Building a coalition of partners from Government Ministries, UN Agencies, and local and international NGO’s, Hagar Afghanistan is raising the standard of care for victims of trafficking and other human rights abuses by examining case studies, identifying gaps in services and addressing key learning needs. In recent months, Hagar has conducted Human Trafficking trainings for lawyers, judges, and service providers.
A challenge before us is to adapt Hagar's model of social enterprise to the Afghan context. Upon recovery, women need to have a means to support themselves, ensuring long-term economic sustainability. We will seek to empower women in culturally acceptable ways.
As is the case in every country where Hagar works, staff members are guided by the biblical story of Hagar, asking, "Who has been cast out? Who is without hope? Whose cries are not being heard?" There are many, many Hagars in Afghanistan.
Read Hagar Afghanistan Blog
Read Hasti's Story and Benyamin's Story.
