How are Afghan women creating businesses despite Taliban restrictions?

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Afghan Women Forge Entrepreneurial Paths Amidst Taliban Restrictions

Afghan women are actively establishing and expanding small businesses as a means to secure income and support other women, a trend that has emerged in the wake of the Taliban's restrictive policies implemented since their takeover in 2021. These entrepreneurial ventures are providing employment and a sense of purpose for women who have been excluded from public sector jobs, abandoned their education, or faced bans on previous professions. For instance, Zainab Ferozi initiated a carpet weaving business in Herat with her savings, now employing approximately a dozen women who lost their livelihoods. Similarly, Touba Zahid in Kabul began producing jams and pickles after being compelled to halt her university studies, thereby creating job opportunities for other women.
Surge in Small and Home-Based Enterprises

The number of businesses registered with the Afghanistan Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI) has seen a significant increase, growing from 600 larger companies to approximately 10,000, predominantly small, home-based operations, alongside a few larger enterprises. This growth reflects a broader movement of women establishing ventures to meet their immediate financial needs and provide support networks for each other. Khadija Mohammadi, who launched her brand in 2022 after losing her teaching position, now oversees a workforce of over 200 women engaged in sewing dresses and weaving carpets, showcasing the scale some of these businesses have achieved.
Navigating Operational and Logistical Challenges

Despite the proliferation of these businesses, Afghan women entrepreneurs encounter substantial obstacles. Fariba Noori, chairwoman of AWCCI, highlighted that sales and shop management remain largely male-dominated domains, limiting women's direct engagement in promoting and selling their products. Furthermore, the requirement for a 'mahram,' a male family escort, to accompany women when travelling to other cities or provinces to procure raw materials presents a significant logistical hurdle, particularly for women who have lost male relatives.
Economic Hardship Persists Despite New Opportunities

While these businesses offer a vital source of income, the salaries earned, ranging from 5,000 to 13,000 Afghanis, often fall short of covering all essential living costs, leaving many women facing persistent economic hardship. Qamar Qasimi, who was formerly employed as a beautician before beauty salons were banned in 2023, earns 5,000 Afghanis monthly. Even with her husband's income, they struggle to manage rent and provide for their family of eight, illustrating the precarious financial situations many women continue to endure.
Creating Safe Spaces and Personal Fulfillment

Beyond economic necessity, some women entrepreneurs are focused on establishing safe and comfortable environments for other women. Zohra Gonish opened a restaurant in Badakhshan province designed as a women-only space, ensuring that both staff and customers feel at ease. For younger women like 15-year-old Sumaya Ahmadi, joining Ferozi's carpet company after leaving school has provided not only financial assistance to her family but also a sense of happiness and purpose, enabling her to support her brothers' education.

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How are Afghan women creating businesses despite Taliban restrictions?

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