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Afghan Women Association of Scotland
- Membership number 10685
- Charity registered in Scotland SC053545
The Afghan Women’s Association in Scotland (AWAS) is a newly established organisation dedicated to empowering Afghan women and supporting them to achieve their personal, social, and economic potential. Our mission is to create opportunities for women to build confidence, develop skills, and become active and independent members of society.
Afghan women, like many women from minority and refugee backgrounds, often face significant challenges both in their home country and after resettlement. While migration offers safety and new opportunities, many Afghan women arriving in Glasgow, Scotland, continue to experience isolation and barriers to integration. These challenges include limited English language skills, low levels of literacy, lack of awareness of their rights, and difficulty navigating public services such as healthcare, education, and employment support.
Many of the women we support also lack strong social networks, which can lead to loneliness and reduced confidence in engaging with the wider community. Cultural and family responsibilities can further limit their ability to access opportunities. In addition, there are concerns among families about preserving language, culture, and religious identity, particularly for children growing up in a new environment.
AWAS works to address these issues by providing a safe, welcoming, and culturally sensitive space where women can come together, share experiences, and support one another. We aim to deliver a range of activities and services, including basic English and IT classes, skills development workshops, confidence-building sessions, and information sessions on rights, health, and accessing local services. We also support mothers by creating opportunities for children to stay connected to their language and cultural heritage.
Through our work, we seek to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and empower women with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives. By building confidence and independence, we help women take positive steps towards education, training, and employment.
Ultimately, AWAS is committed to strengthening the role of Afghan women within their families and communities, while promoting inclusion, equality, and long-term integration into Scottish society.
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