Afghanistan’s female-run businesses

[Rever]

Since 2021, women have been finding new ways to work within the country’s changing rules – not in protest, but in adaptation.

The Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI), established in 2017, is still active and expanding – with local branches now operating in 20 out of 34 provinces.

One of the best-known examples of a female-owned enterprise is ‘Banowan-e Afghan’ (“Afghan Ladies” in Dari), a restaurant launched in 2023 by businesswoman and mother of three, Samira Mohammadi. The place served traditional Afghan food and catered only to women, while male customers – including some Talibs – could order takeout.

Mohammadi tried to provide jobs for women from vulnerable backgrounds; as she mentioned in an interview, even beggars would come in from the street asking for work, drawn by the daily pay of 100 afghanis. Banowan-e Afghan thrived and soon opened a second branch. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the owner thanked the Taliban government for its support and cooperation.

Needa, the owner of a beauty parlor in central Kabul, has nearly lost her business more than once. While the majority of trades – from cooking to jewelry making – remain socially and culturally acceptable, the beauty industry is going through upheaval. A mural on the wall of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue roughly translates to: “If a Muslim woman understands her inner value, she doesn’t decorate herself.” Beauty salons are often visited by the religious police.

“The first time they came and warned us, we didn’t take it seriously,” recalls Needa, a lively 28-year-old with perfect winged eyeliner. “Then they put a lock on the gate, and I had to rent another salon. And once, we barely managed to escape through the back door. I just hope they won’t find us here.”

I’m hoping to become a successful businesswoman one day,” says 20-year-old Diana Ekhlasi.

She looks like a girl from a medieval Persian miniature – fair skin, almond-shaped eyes, perfectly arched brows. We met over cappuccino and cheesecake to talk about her project.

When Afghanistan became the Islamic Emirate, Diana was in the tenth grade. She could no longer attend school, so she focused on reading books in English (‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini is her favorite), drawing (she loves Vincent van Gogh), and developing her Instagram account. Later, she started using it to sell her handmade items – tote bags and headscarves.

“I saw so many beautiful things on Pinterest but couldn’t find anything like that here, so I decided to make something myself. My mother taught me embroidery,” recalls Diana. “That’s how I started my own brand.”

many people call her behavior un-Islamic and shameful, saying “good girls don’t show their faces on social media.” But she keeps going, working on her next product

Original link https://www.rt.com/news/627578-hard-tim ... ong-women/

[VH911]

Whore

[Sustacel250]

Im an european so I dont even attempt to understand these things. Overall different people different culture. I just wish these people fucked off back to their country and didnt bother me with their sharia laws.