How Afghan Women Entrepreneurs Are Building Livelihoods Despite Challenges

Across Kunduz and Baghlan provinces, women entrepreneurs are finding ways to support their families, grow their businesses and create opportunities for others, despite the challenges they continue to face.

With support from UNDP and its partners, these women are not only improving their own economic circumstances but also helping others gain skills and earn an income.

More Women Turn to Qamar Tailoring Centre to Learn and Earn

In Baghlan Province, the owner of Qamar Tailoring Centre has transformed her small business into a growing source of employment and skills development for women and girls.

Before receiving support, the centre operated on a small scale, employing only four women and offering training to a limited number of trainees. Limited access to equipment, financial resources and business development opportunities made expansion difficult.

Through the Government of Japan-funded Strengthening Women's Economic Activity in the Private Sector (WE-ACT) project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the centre received a USD 1,000 grant (approximately AFN 65,000) and equipment worth USD 600 (approximately AFN 39,000). The owner also completed 11 days of business and marketing training.

The support helped her expand the business, increasing employment from four to ten women, including two returnees. The centre now produces different types of clothing based on customer orders and provides tailoring and embroidery training to young women and girls, including 15 returnee trainees.

The change goes beyond employment. Trainees can now earn money by helping complete customer orders, while many graduates have established their own home-based businesses.

When Graphic Design Meets Tailoring: Sozha’s Story

At 23, Sozha Nezami, a graphic design graduate and former journalist, runs Luna Tailoring and Handicraft Centre in Kunduz, where women turn their clothing sketches into finished garments.

She started her business with just two employees and a monthly income of around AFN 10,000 (USD 154). With support from UNDP through the Government of Japan's Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB), including a grant of AFN 96,500 (USD 1,485) in 2024, Sozha purchased sewing machines and raw materials to expand her business.

Today, she regularly employs six women and brings in an additional four to five women during periods of increased demand. Her monthly income has tripled to around AFN 30,000 (USD 462), sometimes reaching AFN 40,000 (USD 615).

Beyond her business, Sozha has organized eight training cycles, helping women develop tailoring and embroidery skills. Currently, 13 women who returned from Iran are receiving six months of embroidery training at her centre.

She Couldn’t Finish School, but She Didn’t Stop Learning

Khatera, 20, from Kunduz, dreamed of becoming a doctor but could not continue her education after Grade 11. Three months ago, she joined a tailoring centre run by Tabasom, where her sister also works as a teacher.

“Sitting at home and confined within four walls is not good,” Khatera says. “It is better to come here and learn something.”

Tabasom received AFN 100,000 (approximately USD 1,538) from UNDP through the ABADEI programme, supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB). The funding helped her purchase equipment and raw materials and expand her business.

Today, the centre trains 20 women and girls, including 15 in tailoring and five in embroidery. Tabasom has also engaged 50 additional women who make decorative garlands from home, receiving more than 60 percent of the revenue as wages.

UNDP also provided a 7.5 kW solar PV system with battery storage, helping reduce electricity costs and provide more reliable power.

“Now I can also contribute to my family financially,” Tabasom says.

She Returned from Iran and Started Again

After being displaced by conflict and spending time in Iran, a woman entrepreneur returned to Kunduz determined to rebuild her dairy business.

Before the support, her Jawedan Dairy Processing Centre processed around 250 kg of milk daily, employed four workers and supplied products to nearby shops and local customers.

Through the Government of Japan-funded WE-ACT project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), she received business and marketing training, a grant and equipment to expand production.

The change was significant. Jawedan Dairy Centre increased its daily sales capacity from 250 kg to 500 kg, with the potential to process up to 800 kg of milk per day. The business has also recruited 12 new employees, including 7 returnees.

Today, Jawedan produces 400–500 kg of yogurt daily and supplies dairy products to around 50 shops and Kunduz Prison, while also reaching markets in Badakhshan.

She Studied Abroad. Now She’s Helping Women Back Home.

Born in Saudi Arabia, Sadiya earned a master's degree in Islamic Studies before moving to Kunduz after marriage, where she found limited opportunities for women to work or run businesses.

Today, she helps women in the Sesad Family area of Kunduz City access small loans, manage their savings and develop business ideas. She also uses her knowledge of Islamic Studies to raise awareness about women's rights, particularly their right to work and earn an income.

Through UNDP's ABADEI 1.0 programme, the initiative received USD 10,000 (approximately AFN 650,000) to strengthen 11 women-led savings groups, comprising 119 women, with an average of 11 members per group. Each group has a president, vice president and cashier responsible for managing its activities and finances.

Women can access small loans to start or expand their businesses and repay the funds so others can benefit. The initiative also reports 30 to 40 women participating in the groups.

Sadiya encourages women to share what they learn about their rights with their husbands and families. Having once struggled to find opportunities for herself, she is now helping other women manage their finances and build businesses of their own.

Behind every business is a woman determined to build a better future for herself, her family and her community. Despite the challenges they face, these women continue to find ways to use their skills, earn an income and create opportunities for others. Their stories show that even modest support can make a meaningful difference.

Your support matters. It changes lives. For Afghan women, access to even a small opportunity can mean financial independence, renewed confidence and hope for the future. Through initiatives such as UNDP's ABADEI Programme and WE-ACT Project, supported by partners including Japan, continued investment can help more women turn their determination into livelihoods, support their families and build stronger communities across Afghanistan.

Editorial Note: This story was originally published by UNDP Afghanistan and is republished by The Kabul Tribune with proper attribution and a link to the original source.