With USAID support, the National Women’s Dormitory at Kabul University is preparing to launch civic education and civic participation-based activities that develop the leadership capabilities and community engagement of its residents. The program furthers the strategic goals of the national higher education strategy by encouraging young women to be active, responsible and engaged citizens in developing a modern and democratic Afghanistan. Since the dormitory houses more than 1,000 female students from Afghanistan’s outlying provinces, the program will reach some of the brightest, most motivated young women from throughout the country.
In October, representatives from the student dorm committees brainstormed potential activities for the students, including creating a debate club or a monthly magazine highlighting student writing, poetry, and discussion of current events. After the meeting, Suryay, a senior science major, stated, “The leadership program in particular is the most interesting program for us, as this can build our capacities to overcome more challenges in our future life.”