Sarah Mohammad, 3rd Infantry Division Women's Initiative coordinator, demonstrates products that can be sold on U.S. Military installation during a Business Workshop for Iraqi women in Dujayl, Nov. 11. Photo by Capt. Rebecca Walsh, 1st Infantry Division.

Women from Balad, Samarra, and Dujayl gathered together for a business workshop to exchange ideas about the possibilities of selling hand-made goods on Contingency Operating Base Speicher at the Iraqi Souq Bazaar.

For Provincial Reconstruction Team members, U.S. Soldiers and nongovernmental organizations (NGO), the workshop provided a unique glimpse at what is needed to enhance the business skills of, and promote sustainable projects for, Iraqi women.

The workshop gave women the chance to openly discuss the issues that they face every day like security, education, vocational training and employment.

In the true spirit of partnership, local NGOs have been working to create jobs and opportunities for women in Salah ad-Din, especially widows.

According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, there were approximately 740,000 widows in Iraq between the ages of 15- and 80-years-old in February. As a result, several Iraqi households are now run by women, making it vital for them to learn the skills necessary to support their families.

While it will take effort to continue business initiatives for women in Salah ah-Din, instant friendships were formed between American and Iraqi women, and the first steps were taken to bring the women together and listen to their concerns.

"This workshop is important, not just because we come here for a few hours ... but because we get to spend time with you," said Linda Byron, Salah ah-Din PRT public diplomacy officer. "We are grateful you allowed us to come here together in this library."