History of Our Work

SEPA completed the UN Women funded Afghanistan's first-ever Time Use Survey (TUS).  TUS is a national survey that measures how citizens in a country spend their time within a 24-hour time-frame.   This survey identified how people, women, in particular, spend their time in Afghanistan.  Data was gathered in hub provinces such as Kabul, Nangarhar, Takhar, Kunduz, Balkh, Herat, and Kandahar provinces of Afghanistan.  These provinces represent the various zones Afghanistan is divided into for statistical purposes.  A questionnaire involving a weekly diary collected information about the use of time for market-oriented (paid) and non-market-oriented (unpaid) activities.  After a thorough analysis, results were shared with UN Women.  The TUS survey presents important data that policymakers and development agencies can use to develop and implement specific and context-specific programs and projects.

SEPA supported women entrepreneurs in Bamiyan and Nangarhar provinces to improve and sustain their small businesses. Funded through UNDP’s Gender Equality Project, the project provided extensive and need-based coaching and business sustainability training to 50+ women-owned businesses and their employees in Bamiyan and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan. The project also promoted peer learning by organizing business tours and trade shows in which business owners exchanged information about their respective experiences, and opportunities to find new markets for their products and services. The project helped women business owners improve their business management skills, and learn from the experiences of other more established entrepreneurs.

SEPA collaborated with World Learning Inc. to implement the 2013 Legislative Exchange Program for Afghanistan. Eligible Afghan nationals working in legislative affairs in Afghanistan were recruited for a month-long visit to the United States where they visited the US legislative organizations, met with officials, and participated in training helping them understand the process in which legislation worked in Afghanistan.

SEPA provided much-needed in-kind and training support to the only Blind School in Kabul. The project provided a grant to fix the school’s damaged shuttle bus, install a water heater in the school’s kitchen, and procure basic equipment for the school’s classrooms. The project also connected the school to donors who were interested in providing material and other support. This small project was one of the first projects designed and implemented.