On November 19, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Grant Agreement (G/ A) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the “Women’s Livelihood Improvement Program through Promotion of Economic Activities in Border Areas (UNDP Partnership)” for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The signing of the agreement took place at the UNDP office in Tokyo. The signing was made between Ms. Hideko Hajiarich, UNDP Representative in Japan, and Mr. Sota Tosaka, Director of JICA Afghanistan Office. This project aims to promote women’s economic activities in border areas through the development of economic activity centers, improvement of market and financial access, and awareness-raising activities targeting small, medium, and micro businesses run by women.
Signing Ceremony
A summary of the business is as follows
Plan to improve women’s livelihoods by promoting economic activities in border areas (UNDP collaboration)
The Project for the Improvement of Women’s Livelihoods through the Promotion of Economic Activity in the Border Areas
Country (Region)
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
(Balkh, Tahar, Badakhshan and Paktika provinces)
Business Objectives
This project aims to promote women’s economic activities in four provinces bordering on neighboring countries by developing economic activity centers for small, medium, and micro businesses run by women, improving access to finance, and raising community awareness, thereby contributing to improving the livelihoods of women in Afghanistan.
Business
1. development of economic activity centers
2. improving market and financial access
3. awareness-raising activities and training on women’s economic participation
Maximum Amount of Provision
864 million yen
Scheduled implementation period
24 months
Implementing Agency
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Contribution to the achievement of the SDGs
Goal 1 (Eliminate poverty)
Goal 5 (Achieve gender equality)
Goal 8 (both job satisfaction and economic growth)
© Source JICA