Do Good

Raise a woman, raise a nation

Our charity partner, Women for Women International helps female survivors of war rebuild their lives.

Zarghuna, from Afghanistan, was just six years old when her parents gave her away to the family of an abusive uncle in a marriage to appease a feud. She was 15 when she married and became pregnant shortly afterwards. Her 18 year-old husband was then killed in war. Hospitalised after a suicide attempt, she was told by a doctor: “You need somewhere to go and sit with women, with different kinds of women, so you can see how they’re dealing with the challenges that they face.”

Zarghuna joined Women for Women International an organisation that works in areas affected by conflict and war, helping women survivors rebuild their lives by equipping them with the skills and resources to become successful entrepreneurs, whilst harnessing the power of sisterhood. She found herself in a group of 25 women.

That’s when I learned that I wasn’t alone in my suffering. There are other women who have the same pain and the same hardships.”

Zarghuna

Women for Women International

After a year-long programme, Women for Women International granted Zarghuna a microloan to found an embroidery business. Today, her company employs 120 women who are themselves survivors of conflict and trauma, allowing Zarghuna not only to repay the loan but to pay it forward.

Fidenza Village is partnered with Women for Women International as part of The Bicester Collection's DO GOOD network of charitable organisations, all of which work to empower women and children. Read more here.

UK Charity Registration Number: 1115109

For reasons of security and privacy, we are using a photo of a different Women for Women International graduate to represent the woman in the story.

Gender Equality Conversation