The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

NAME: Sakina Ibrahimi

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

BUSINESS: Namad (shoe manufacturing)

Sakina, 34 years old, owns Namad, a wool shoe manufacturing company.

Sakina’s shoes are made from all-natural materials, mostly wool and leather. She makes sure that her shoes are quality and durable.

From start to finish, the shoe production involves 10 people in the process.

Over the next five years, Sakina wants to open additional factories in more provinces.

Through her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS training, Sakina wants to learn more about how to find investors and

partners, as well as skills in the areas of marketing, networking, leadership and financial management.

Sakina believes that Afghan women can help bring positive changes in their lives by gaining financial independence. She hopes that her business helps provide this opportunity for women in her country.

“I want to be a role model for other Afghan women. I want to help them through my business and show them that in country like Afghanistan we can do lots of things, we can change and go forward our country. We can also show to other women in other countries our abilities.”

NAME: Marcelline Uwizeye

COUNTRY: Rwanda

BUSINESS: B&M Styles (designer boutique)

Marcelline, 30 years old, owns B&M Styles, a boutique that specializes in designer clothing. Before she was married, Marcelline worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a job she didn’t really love. After talking to her husband about her passion for business and style, she decided to start up her own boutique. With its two employees, B&M Styles offers its customers designer clothes, shoes, bags, as well as traditional wear. The business also sells material for tailoring outfits.

Over the next five years, Marcelline hopes to expand her shop and open more branches in cities outside of Kigali. She would also like to purchase sewing machines so that she can begin designing her own clothing line.

Marcelline looks forward to her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS training for many reasons, including meeting with other businesswomen and learning about customer care and what more ideas she could incorporate into her boutique.