The creation of women’s “skill circles” in Afghanistan and strengthening women’s leadership in a vulnerable community in Venezuela were among the new projects approved last fall by the Board of Directors of Canadian Jesuits International (CJI).

The Board approved 21 new and continuing projects totaling $1,184,389.04 at its meeting in Toronto on October 5. Eight projects focus on the right to education, three on the rights of forcibly displaced persons, four on human rights, civic participation and peacebuilding, four on ecology and sustainability, and the remainder on emergency and other work.

The project launched in Afghanistan by CJI partner Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) will train 380 women from Herat and Kabul in traditional carpet weaving, embroidery and tailoring, with the aim of helping them to set up their own businesses and achieve economic stability for themselves and their families.

In Venezuela, a project run by the Fundación Centro Gumilla will enhance the skills of  50 women leaders ages 18 and 65 from La Carucieña, which has been hard hit by the country’s ongoing political and economic crisis.

Learn more about the new projects: bit.ly/NewCJIProjects