THE founder of an organisation providing support to Afghan women says she founded the group to empower women used to being dominated by men.

The British Afghan Women’s society, which has been running for three years, will launch its new catering service for homes and parties this Saturday at the Artzone café in Edmonton.

The kitchen is the brainchild of group chairwoman, Zarghona Rassa, 46, of White Hart Lane, Haringey.

Ms Rassa has been involved in voluntary work for nearly ten years and decided to start a women's group after being frustrated by how men in Afghani groups still treated women like they were second class citizens.

She said she had been criticised in the past by Afghan men for her idea to set up a women-only group which did not take orders from men.

She said: "We want to get these women off benefits so they can get their independence. They can get into employment and they can even start their own businesses."

The catering service will for homes and businesses around the borough, members of the group doing the cooking in the Artzone kitchen and then delivering it themselves.

"There's no Afghani restaurant anywhere in North London except for Islington.

"Afghani food is very distinctive, it is something between Middle Eastern and South Asian but it is different from both."

The aim of the open day this Saturday is also to showcase the work of the group, take part in English conversation classes, allow members of the public to sample Afghan food, culture and music.

An official from the Afghani embassy will be there as well as a representative from Enfield Council.

Support for the project is being lent by The European Social Fund and London Development Agency.

To confirm your attendance, please phone 0208 379 1794 or email Baws_uk@yahoo.com by Tuesday, August 12 2009.