Peace Through Business is a program that was started by The Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women, a nonprofit organization that aims to support women entrepreneurs and encourages women to become public policy advocates. The Peace Through Business Program trains women in war-torn countries basic business practices, and then couples that with a mentoring program, matching students with American women business owners. The program operates in two developing countries now, Afghanistan and Rwanda, with the hope of adding more countries soon.
Thirty women are selected annually for the program and through successful in-country completion of training, travel to the US to spend one week living and working with women entrepreneurs in America. The hope is that by entrepreneurial training, and an understanding of policy and advocacy, women in these war-torn countries will have the tools they need to start businesses and also to influence policy within their countries. Raising the status of 50 percent of the population, and getting women into the workforce, has the possibility of drawing nations out of economic frailty, and improving the lives of all. In addition, fostering relationships with like-minded women across international and cultural boarders has a positive social impact and we will all become stronger individuals.
AT&T has long supported many nonprofit organizations through their foundation. According to their website, in 2009 AT&T and its employees contributed nearly $155 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. This year, along with donating the AT&T facilities in Dallas for a few days as part of Peace Through Business program, AT&T contributed $100,000 dollars to the project.
Since it’s founding in 2007, the Peace Through Business has trained more than 100 women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. In order for this program to be a success and to effect change internationally, these women graduates must “pay it forward” by educating and influencing women in their countries about entrepreneurship. One great story about a graduate from the first year of the program is this story from a recent article on Diversityinc.com:
“Taj Sirat, a 2007 graduate of the program, ran a business hand-sewing soccer balls and volleyballs in Afghanistan. When she first came to the United States as part of the Peace through Business program three years ago, she employed 40 women and earned $6,000 in annual revenues. Today, her revenues have increased by 400 percent and she has hired an additional 160 more women.” In fact, Taj Sirat is running for parliament in Afghanistan!
To read more stories about the 2010 graduates and what impact they are having in their own countries go here.
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Image courtesy AT&T.