Afghan Women’s Association of Scotland
At AWAS, we are dedicated to empowering Afghan women by providing opportunities that support their personal, social, and economic development.
Find out more about our work, our mission, and our values.
Who We Are
AWAS is a community-led organisation committed to empowering Afghan women in Scotland to achieve their personal, social, and economic potential.
Afghan women often face linguistic, socio-economic, and cultural barriers to accessing services and integrating into life in Scotland. However, they bring invaluable skills, perspectives, and experiences that enrich Scottish society. Our mission is to provide a range of tailored and culturally sensitive services to help women overcome these barriers, enabling them to exercise their rights and reach their full potential.
AWAS is an Afghan-led organisation, and our work is shaped by the lived experiences of migration and a profound understanding of the Afghan community in Scotland. We are committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, and empowerment through every aspect of our work.
Our Vision
Our vision is to see Afghan women, along with women from other refugee and minority ethnic backgrounds, empowered with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to lead fulfilling and prosperous lives in Scotland. We believe that the talents, knowledge, and experiences of Afghan women will contribute significantly to the diverse and vibrant fabric of Scottish society, benefiting all communities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver interventions that are specifically tailored to the unique needs of Afghan women, helping them navigate cultural, economic, and social barriers. We actively involve Afghan women as volunteers and peer mentors, empowering them to play a central role in supporting their communities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Our association is in the early stages of development. In the first phase of our work, we have organized social events and conducted group and individual consultations with Afghan women across Glasgow. Based on the valuable feedback we’ve received, we are now working to develop a peer-led program of activities and support. We are open to funding and collaboration opportunities. If you would like to join us or learn more, please feel free to contact us.
Afghan Women’s Association OF SCOTLAND
Join us in our mission to help Afghan women to thrive as we work to build a supportive community.
Building successful Communities
Our Future Work
Read about the work we’re planning for Afghan women in Glasgow.
Wellbeing
- Peer support, mentorship, and confidence-building initiatives.
- Helping families to manage their basic needs, for example by addressing food insecurity in a culturally appropriate way.
- Providing assistance with accessing services such as healthcare, benefits, housing, and education services.
- Developing sports and exercise programs to promote physical and mental well-being.
Education
- Connecting Afghan women with English courses tailored to their specific needs, helping them overcome one of the most significant barriers to integration.
- Offering language and religion classes for women and children to help preserve their cultural heritage.
- Providing literacy, numeracy, vocational training, job readiness, and business development classes.
- Organising workshops to help women to understand their legal rights as they navigate life in Scotland.
- Advocating on behalf of Afghan women, and seeking reforms at an institutional level to address the barriers that they face.
Social Connection
- Organising cultural, educational, and social events that bring together Afghan women and the wider community.
- Offering cultural orientation programs to help Afghan women adjust to life in Scotland.
