Afghan Women’s Skills Development Centre (AWSDC):

Mrs. Mary Akrami is the founder and Executive Director of Afghan Women Skills Development Center (AWSDC) in Kabul. In 2003 the organization established the first known shelter for women at risk in Afghanistan. This shelter is a space where women and young girls, who are victims and survivors of violence, can access not only physical protection, but health care, education, legal aid, and rehabilitation services as well.In 2016, Mary and AWSDC opened Bost restaurant in Kabul that is run by women who have escaped from violence and want to change their lives for the better. Situated in a popular neighborhood in Qala-e-Fatullah area of Kabul, Bost restaurant is always a success and its customers include foreign diplomats, Afghan politicians and top officials.

Background:
AWSDC is a non profit organization established in 1999 with programming focusing on the needs of Afghan women, including widows and the disabled or chronically ill, and orphan children. The goals of AWSDC are to reduce the suffering of Afghan women and children through promotion of peace and initiation of rehabilitation and development oriented projects reaching the most vulnerable populations in the remote and urban areas of Afghanistan. Currently it is functioning through a central office in Kabul, Afghanistan. It has implemented a number of emergency, relief and development projects involving vocational skills training, literacy, English and computer classes, and providing facilities for informative workshops, resources, networking and collaboration with other organizations.