USA/IRAQ: Grants to Support Iraqi Widows and Female Heads of Household

Date: 
Friday, October 22, 2010
Source: 
US Department of State
Countries: 
Americas
Asia
North America
United States of America
Western Asia
Iraq
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

The Department of State has awarded $5 million in grants to several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide direct support and training to Iraqi widows, female heads of household and other vulnerable women in Iraq in the areas of literacy, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills.

The training will be conducted by the NGOs and is tailored to local market opportunities to achieve economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for the women and their families. The NGOs that received the grant will help create access to employment opportunities for women by involving businesses, government, parliamentary committees, and academic institutions directly in the project. Additionally the grants will ensure that these women fully understand their economic, legal, social, and political rights.