Supported by ASGP and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Afghan Women’s Advocacy Coalition (AWAC) is a group of more than twenty women-focused Afghan civil society organizations and individuals who have formed a nationwide coalition to advocate for women’s rights throughout Afghanistan. AWAC is developing a comprehensive strategy to conduct advocacy campaigns and initiatives to further the goals of the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA).

Through strategic initiatives and campaigns that will reach across the country, AWAC is committed to achieving lasting change in three core areas: women’s political participation and leadership, education, and access to justice and human rights. Five leading coalition members are coordinating the development of a charter, by-laws and a viable action plan.

The AWAC was formally launched in December 2010 at a milestone event hosted by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. At the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by MoWA and ASGP, formalizing the relationship and partnership between MoWA, AWAC, and ASGP. This is the first formalized agreement of cooperation and coordination between Afghan civil society organizations and MoWA to date, a historic achievement for the civil society movement. This agreement contributes to the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and NAPWA priorities for the formation of partnerships with relevant institutions involved in public education and advocacy on women’s rights.

The partnership between MoWA and AWAC will foster added support for the advocacy coalition, enhance MOWA’s advocacy efforts, and promote the launch of campaigns in support of NAPWA goals.