Women’s Council
The Women’s Council is a platform for Afghan and Iranian women to empower themselves, support one another, and advocate for their own rights and other women. Comprising women from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines, the council meets monthly to discuss key topics that foster their personal growth, empowerment, confidence, and capacity development..
Additionally, the council actively expands its members’ knowledge and networks by organizing visits to relevant institutions and organizations. Through these experiences, the women gain deeper insights, develop stronger skills, and become more confident, enabling them to integrate more effectively into Belgian society. This empowerment not only strengthens their own positions but also makes them inspiring role models for female newcomers. By fostering resilience and leadership, the Women’s Council creates a lasting positive impact on the lives of these women and their communities.
The Women’s Council primarily focuses on Afghan women, due to their cultural background and language. It is a group of women who wish to learn and grow together in a trusting environment.
However, even within the group of Afghan women, there are significant differences, depending on where they come from in Afghanistan or how strictly their families adhere to Muslim laws.
We would like to provide some additional context about the situation:
- Most Afghan women lead an isolated life from a young age, taking no active role in society.
- Women who would like to actively participate in our community once they settle here often face barriers due to cultural and language differences. The Women’s Council serves as a valuable stepping stone for them.
- A large portion of Afghan female immigrants lacks a network. Some are completely reliant on themselves. Often, they (initially) do not trust people from other nationalities in their immediate environment due to differences in culture and religion.
- Finally, the Women’s Council is also a platform for women who are not ready to actively participate in society and, for instance, are not yet open to a future involving education or employment. The Women’s Council is the ideal vehicle for them to get acquainted with Belgian values and norms, build a network, and develop themselves.
The Women’s Council meets every month. It organizes activities aimed at self-development and familiarizing participants with society. It is the perfect moment for this group to break free from isolation. Since the majority of the participants are of Afghan origin, they are often granted permission by their husbands to attend.
The Women’s Council focuses on the following key areas: developing a network, motivating active participation in society, building and expanding knowledge and skills, self-empowerment, and self-confidence. In addition to the monthly meetings, we also regularly take the Women’s Council on outings to places they have never visited before, either here or in their home country. These excursions are organized to break down barriers, offer new learning opportunities, and show that these places are also open to them, encouraging them to participate in society.
Finally, there is a very active WhatsApp group, keeping the women in contact with each other. They post daily information about training opportunities, share opinions, and exchange thoughts on current affairs.