Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 8, 2025 Women
How can you continue working, let alone running your own business, when obstacles await you at every turn? This is the question many women in Afghanistan are asking themselves today. The de facto authorities have imposed numerous restrictions on education and employment. Small businesses remain virtually the only outlet for women who want to be independent. But even here, they face barriers.
"Women don't want to just sit at home. They want to get out and learn something," says Parveen Zafar, owner of a tailor shop in Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan.
Women are officially banned from working in government agencies, NGOs, and the UN. Many are forced to work from home.
Small business is the only option
Small businesses, especially in sectors traditionally considered female-dominated—textile and food production, carpet weaving—are the main outlet for Afghan women seeking financial independence. De facto, authorities and society consider such activities acceptable.
"The only channel Afghan women have is small business," says Parvin.
UNDP-Afghanistan
Parveen Zafar at her studio in Mazar-i-Sharif. The business employs 16 women.
“Historically, they have been engaged in these types of activities, and society does not question such traditional enterprises,” explains Wahib Al-Eryani, head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) regional office in Mazar-i-Sharif.
UNDP is actively supporting Afghan women entrepreneurs: over 89,000 companies have received support, 91 percent of which are headed by women. These efforts have created over 439,000 jobs.
"People will laugh at us"
Although society generally does not condemn women who engage in traditional activities, female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan often face misunderstanding.
Shaista Hakimi is a mother of three and the owner of a restaurant for women in Mazar-i-Sharif. She lost her husband two years ago, and now her father-in-law is demanding that she leave their home, fearing social disapproval.
"He says people will laugh at us because his daughter-in-law works," Shaista explains.
Support from UNDP
Having received a soft loan from UNDP, Shaista was able to keep her restaurant going despite all the difficulties and now hopes for further support.
She applied for a matching grant program, which provides resources in exchange for businesses' own contributions, such as job creation. Her restaurant employs 18 women.
“I could rent another place or building to live and work in,” Shaista says.
UNDP-Afghanistan
Shaista Hakimi in her restaurant.
Parveen Zafar also received a subsidized loan from UNDP after her previous campaign closed. Her new business employs 16 women.
"I was able to borrow money and buy equipment. Thank God, I was able to reopen my business. And now I can help other women," says Parvin.
The need to rely on male relatives
No matter how successful their businesses, Afghan female entrepreneurs are forced to rely heavily on their male relatives. Afghan government decrees require women to appear in public or travel only when accompanied by a mahram—a male guardian.
For the women working at Shaista's restaurant, this isn't a problem. They live in the same area and can walk to work on their own.
But at Parvin's enterprise the situation is completely different.
"Women aren't allowed to travel without a mahram. Especially if we want to deliver products to other provinces—we can't do that," she says.
UNDP-Afghanistan
Accessories made in the studio of Parveen Zafar.
In such situations, women turn to relatives for help.
"Sometimes, if women can't get to the market, they enlist the help of their husbands, brothers, and other relatives who can travel to crowded markets to sell their produce or negotiate deals with wholesalers," explains Al-Eryani.
"The men we're related to support us. They try to sell our products," Parvin adds.
"They are very resilient."
Limited access to markets and financial instruments is one of the main obstacles for women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. According to UNDP, only 4 percent of Afghan women have access to international markets, and obtaining a loan requires multiple guarantors, which many simply do not have.
Nevertheless, women find ways to continue their work—and to help others. "They're very resilient. They find ways, they adapt," notes Al-Eryani.
Today, amid the mass return of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan, many women-owned businesses are providing jobs for the new arrivals.
"With UNDP support, they were able to employ the returnees—20, 30, 40 women per business. They did it with pride. Now they're not just recipients of aid—they're helping others," says Al-Eryani.
UNDP-Afghanistan
Wahib Al-Eryani at a woman-run soap-making business.
An uncertain future
The prospects for Afghan female entrepreneurs remain bleak. Due to the ban on education for girls beyond sixth grade, the younger generation will not gain the knowledge and skills necessary to run a business.
"We don't have the necessary financial education," Parvin explained. UNDP provides training for female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, but much more is needed to develop their potential.
"The support we receive today is insufficient," she added. Parvin emphasized that Afghan women need greater international support.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
