Oklahoma City, OK, September 11, 2018 - For the past 13 years, Oklahoma City-based non-profit, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women's (IEEW) PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program, in partnership with Northwood University, has held ten-week courses for women business owners in Kabul, Afghanistan and in Kigali City, Rwanda. This week, the application to attend the 13th class of entrepreneurs went live online; it will also be distributed by past students to potential candidates.

Already, Caroline Cohenour, Communications & Student Coordinator for the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program, has received several inquiries from enterprising Afghans and Rwandans. Cohenour acknowledged that, "because graduates learn important business tools which help develop successful companies, they are eager to spread the word of PTB to their friends, families and business associates." They have seen the success of their fellow business women first hand. With 80% of all students still in business over the years, PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® has graduated over 750 women who have together created over 13,000 jobs for their fellow countrymen and women.

PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS(r) applications are due, along with proof of majority business ownership for at least one year, photos, and miscellaneous documentation, by November 16, 2018. The January through March 10-week training will culminate in business plan presentations and in-country graduation. To assist students through the course, each woman can be paired with an American eMentor in the same field, supplemented by a mentorship team of accountants, financial consultants and marketing experts. The top 15 students will then have the opportunity to move on to Leadership Development in the United States during the month of July.

The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women looks forward to welcoming the class of 2019. It is always so fascinating to see the various businesses that these remarkable women are building in their countries. Not only are there traditional handicraft makers, midwives and farmers, but also engineers, technology gurus, fashion designers and marketers. And always, each Afghan and Rwandan woman is gracious, warm and ready to greet us with a big smile.
Applications can be found online at www.ieew.org/students. Or, contact Caroline Cohenour at ccohenour@ieew.org.

About the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women
Established in 2006, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, based in Oklahoma City, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that encourages the empowerment of women economically, socially, and politically by focusing on their education and mentorship. The IEEW strives to help women in the United States and abroad who want to gain entrepreneurial skills that will help them start and grow a business, which will in turn help them to become more active and effective public policy advocates. Working on the forefront of these efforts, the IEEW believes in the power of women as a driving force in the development and stability of businesses in emerging economies. Through its dedication, hard work and PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program, the IEEW helps provide women with a voice in their fight to establish peace and free market economies. For more information, visit http://www.ieew.org/.