About Us

Shamim Jawad

Shamim Jawad is the founder of Ayenda Foundation, the Afghan Children Initiative, a non-profit 501 © 3 public charity organization that supports projects that enhance the welfare, education, health, shelter and safety of Afghan Children.  She is a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, which was established in 2002 by President Bush and President Karzai to advance the rights of women. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF).  In addition, Mrs. Jawad is the Honorary Chair of the Aschiana Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides education and health services to street children of Kabul. 

As wife of the Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Shamim Jawad is actively involved in issues relevant to Afghanistan, with special emphasis on the rights of women and children. Mrs. Jawad is a diligent advocate for access to education for children, economic and political empowerment for women, and improved access to healthcare for Afghans.

Mrs. Jawad frequently travels to Afghanistan to identify the pressing needs of women and children. Mrs. Jawad seeks to direct the efforts of the international community to promote the welfare of women and children in Afghanistan by advocating for access to capital, entrepreneurship, leadership, training, healthcare and education. She is the recipient of the 2004 Liberty Award from Dialogue on Diversity for her advocacy of social welfare for women in Afghanistan.

 

Shamim Jawad was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mrs. Jawad studied at Kabul University and Golden Gate University in San Francisco, where she received a bachelor degree in Human Relations. Before her husband’s appointment to Washington, DC in November 2003, Mrs. Jawad worked as a financial consultant for TIAA-CREF.