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Women’s project succeeding in Panjshir Valley

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
  • Task Force Warrior Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  More than two years of work on the part of Brishna Yaftali, Director of Marwa Cultural Development Organization, is coming to fruition with the completion of a chicken coop.

This project in Anaba District was one of the main topics when the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team's new woman's affairs team met at Yaftali's office recently to discuss ways to improve the lives of Afghan women.

When funding was provided by the Panjshir PRT two months ago, Yaftali was able to take chicken coops to villages in Anaba District. She brought in female teachers to train 150 families, and she has regularly checked in on the progress herself.

Yaftali said she has been working for more than two years to get the chicken coop project funded and accepted by the local villages of Anaba. She said it was difficult to gain the support of village men and women, and that the original attempts were turned down due to the fact they were led by men.

Yaftalli revisited the villages numerous times, promoting the project and hitting new hurdles with each encounter.

"Out of respect, I would wear a burka and try to show the people that being an educated female won't hurt your women or children, but help the family," Yaftali said.


Yaftali said her work has been rewarding. The intensity in which she describes her personal struggle to help these women in Panjshir is a testament to the drive of Afghan women to help each other succeed.

The chicken coops are constructed from concrete, brick, wood and chicken wire, and strategically placed in individual compounds.

Thirteen hens and two roosters were given to each family, as well as instructions on how to care for them.

"Families keep half of the eggs and sell the rest," said Spc. Amanda Cutler, a member of the woman's affairs team.

Yaftali said she hopes this is just the beginning of women's projects in Panjshir and throughout Afghanistan.

After the winter season, USAID is funding additional chicken coop projects for Panjshir in the districts of Khenj, Dara, and Paryan.