Crafting Dreams. Building Resilience.
With funding from the Netherlands, UNICEF is empowering women across generations to achieve financial independence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Five young women are gathered on the floor, focused on the intricate details of the beautiful pieces they’re about to create. They’re learning how to make jewelry from Ambia Zaib in the warmth of her home in Dagai village. Ambia, already a trained jeweler, watches their progress with pride.
Sakina (18), Farah (18), Nourzia, Farzana (19) and Aliaa (20) feel comfortable with the whole house to themselves. Amina’s husband Ziab Ullah is away in Hangu. He’s been working as a labourer in a drink factory for the past 12 years.
"I have many wishes in my heart, I don’t know where to start’’, says Sakina, an Afghan refugee born and raised in Dagai. "We must go back soon because we don’t have residency cards. We won’t know what to do. If I learn maybe I can sell jewelry for a living. My sister is sick, she can’t move or speak, she is 17. My mother is also sick, and my stepmother is paralyzed. I would be very proud if I could take care of them. I want a better future for all of us."
Vulnerable communities in Pakistan, particularly children with disabilities, have limited access to education, healthcare, and protection services.
The emotional struggle of making ends meet
With her husband’s absence, Ambia shoulders the responsibility of looking after her four children Firas (15), Assaa Rushni (14), Ibad (11) and Adina (4) alone. Both Firas (15) and Ibad (11) were born with the same disability, a strong limp in their legs affecting their movement.
"The doctors didn’t know what the problem was,’’ shared Ambia. "Things became even more difficult after that. My husband earns only PKR 27,000 (USD 96) a month. I started stitching but we still couldn’t make ends meet."
While medical treatment was unaffordable, classes in the nearest government school were on the third floor, making it impossible for her sons to reach daily. The parents were forced to take them to a private school, further straining their budget with school fees and daily rickshaw expenses.
When asked about her biggest challenge as a mother, Ambia broke down in tears. "Not being able to treat our sons. They can’t play like the other children and even struggle to pray in the mosque. This was the most painful thing for me."
A change in tide
Ambia’s life was about to change. In February 2024, she was selected for a UNICEF supported jewelry training, a skill with greater market demand than stitching. The training was part of the five-year Netherlands-UNICEF Partnership for Migration and Displacement. The programme aims to increase access to basic social services across education, child protection, water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH), and social protection for almost 1 million vulnerable people in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while fostering resilience, inclusion, and social cohesion.
When visiting a nearby Afghan refugee settlement, she was identified as a potential participant by a community mobilizer after eligibility assessments. She was also given a starting artificial jewelry kit, otherwise unaffordable, which provided her the capital she needed to put her skills into practice. It was the break she needed.
"I was very motivated to learn a new skill that could earn me more money. My vision was to open a training center of my own," explains Ambia.
"We trained 200 people across KP, 150 of these were women. The biggest change I see in the trainees is how they transform from housewives to entrepreneurs. It shows in the way they think and speak," said Sajida Gul, the UNICEF implementing partner (Sarhad Rural Support Program) project coordinator.
The sweet taste of independence
Since completing her training in May 2024, Ambia has more than tripled her income. She now earns an average of 15,000 PKR (approximately $55 ) per month in addition to the 6,000 PKR ( approximately $21.5) she was already making from stitching. Friends and family rush for extra orders during special occasions like Eid.
"I don’t have to depend on my brothers or my husband anymore. When the children need something, I can buy it myself. I was even able to buy them new clothes for Eid," states Ambia with new-found confidence. "The women around me now look up to me. I teach them what I’ve learned but they can’t start without the kits because they can’t afford them," she adds.
Ambia’s hopes for the next generation
"I would love to see a fully dedicated center so girls can learn these skills before they are married and don’t have to struggle like me. My message to other women is to not be afraid. There is nothing stopping you looking for opportunities that can help improve your life," said Ambia.
With generous funding from The Netherlands, UNICEF is empowering women and vulnerable communities. The trainings have created impact through skill-building while fostering social cohesion and strengthening resilience. Community participation paves the way for further inclusion, scalability and sustainability as women like Ambia transfer their knowledge. Girls like Sakina are counting on it.
