The Afghan “Women’s Bazaar” was held at Kabul International Airport (KAIA) in June too. This event is special because the members of women’s development organizations sell their handicraft at the ISAF side of the airport.

The staff of the Kabul office of the Afghan Women Awareness Association (AWAA) consists of businesswomen who are trying to promote women’s job placement through a wide range of projects. The organization is affiliated with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), so its members are authorized to enter ISAF bases.

The officer of the HDF Kabul International Airport Force Protection Contingent is the only military member – and so the chief – of the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) cell operating at KAIA. The young Hungarian officer told us that they found it important to hold this bazaar because through it they can support those living in the area of KAIA, since the AWAA is a non-profit organization, and they can use the income to buy equipment and basic material for their supported teams and families.

Brig.-Gen. Adam Philippe, the commander of KAIA visited the bazaar at the invitation of the CIMIC officer of the HDF KAIA FPC-2. The head of the AWAA gave a present to the commander to express the women’s gratitude for providing an opportunity to sell their products in the area of the camp.

Afghanistan has a very rich handcraft culture, and the residents of the camp are very interested in the local products, as evidenced by the turnover of the temporary bazaar.

(HDF KAIA FPC-2 PAO)