From Mountain Workshop to Economic Independence
High in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, a quiet revolution is taking shape. The New Life Trust Organization (NLTO), recently honored as a Global Pluralism Award laureate by Canada's Global Centre for Pluralism, is carefully reviving traditional crafts to create pathways for women's empowerment. This initiative represents a culturally sensitive approach to bringing women together while celebrating Afghanistan's rich heritage of cultural pluralism.
Transforming Lives Through Traditional Craft
Marwa and Aishwa are among the women whose lives have been transformed through this program. They arrived in Kabul in 2023, seeking escape from the increasing restrictions facing women in Badakhshan. For months, they immersed themselves in learning the delicate art of jewelry design through NLTO's "Zindagi Now" project. Their training extended beyond creating beautiful pieces to mastering business skills and achieving sustainable employment.
These women have progressed from students to teachers within the program, specializing in reviving Afghanistan's centuries-old traditions of metalwork and gem artistry. They work with the region's famous deep-blue lapis lazuli, transforming raw stones into exquisite jewelry while preserving cultural heritage and building livelihoods. The program's vision extends beyond craftsmanship—it uses craft as a vessel for belonging, enabling participants to express themselves as valued members of society.
Canadian Connection to Global Pluralism
The organization's innovative approach, which weaves professional training with building trust and community belonging, earned NLTO recognition as one of ten Global Pluralism Award laureates in 2025. This recognition highlights the powerful expression of connection and resilience emerging from one of the world's most challenging contexts. It also serves as a reminder that Canada's commitment to pluralism has significance beyond its borders, demonstrating how international support can foster positive change globally.
Afghanistan's diversity is vast and varied across linguistic, ethnic, and geographical lines. Yet the current societal restrictions make Canadian-style pluralism seem incredibly distant. As Canadians understand from their own experience, finding strength in diversity—though often challenging—can be fundamental to a nation's success. In times of division and restriction, opportunities to collaborate and build belonging become especially precious.
Within Afghanistan's challenging landscape, initiatives like NLTO's jewelry program are creating vital spaces for connection and purpose for the most marginalized. By celebrating those working toward more pluralistic societies abroad, Canadians reconnect with values they cherish at home and find solidarity across great differences and distances.
