On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we were reminded of the impact Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF) grantees are making for women globally. As we honor women's resilience, achievements, and contributions, we want to highlight the important work of Womanity, an ADF grantee dedicated to advancing education access and securing livelihoods for girls and young women in Afghanistan.

Founded in 2005, Womanity promotes gender equality and positive change for women living in patriarchal contexts. Since the inception of its ‘She Learns’ program in 2007, the Switzerland-based organization has reached approximately 38,000 girls and 1,300 teachers in Afghanistan. Womanity’s deep experience and relationships with Afghanistan-based UN bodies and international and grassroots organizations enable them to provide programs to Afghan girls and young women with safe and viable educational activities, vocational training, and digital skills development. Womanity’s programs are delivered within cultural realities and ensure that girls in Afghanistan—who face extreme restrictions—can still access the education they deserve, build confidence and agency, escape poverty and violence, and contribute to the progress of their families and communities. 

With support from ADF, Womanity is making a transformative impact in Kabul’s Bagrami, Paghman, and Char Asyab districts. Specifically, the grant has bolstered its ‘She Learns’ program, which is dedicated to empowering Afghan girls and young women through education and skill-building. To date, 70 female teachers have been hired in public schools, ensuring quality education for 3,076 students, and 278 teachers have been trained (200 in science education, 78 in teaching methodologies). The program also sustains access to primary education for over 3,000 marginalized children (80% girls) across the three Afghan communities, supporting public schools and Community-Based Education (CBE) classes. With a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation, ‘She Learns’ refines its approach based on Afghanistan’s evolving realities. It ensures impactful support for women and girls while informing the donor community for sustained engagement.