CHARIKAR, Afghanistan, March 7 (Xinhua) -- In the face of economic hardship and limited opportunities, Afghan women are forging their own paths to self-reliance.

Among them is Fazila, a young entrepreneur who has not only built a career for herself but also created job opportunities for many others by establishing a clothing and handicrafts production workshop.

Located in the Ashqabad area on the outskirts of Jabal Saraj district, Fazila's workshop operates in one of the impoverished regions of Parwan province, approximately 76 km north of Kabul.

As the world marks International Women's Day on Saturday, she expresses her pride in the workshop that now employs around 160 women, each earning a monthly salary.

Within the workshop, women engage in a variety of tasks, including embroidery, traditional clothing production, bag stitching, and crafting decorative household items. They also produce burkas-full-body veils traditionally worn by Afghan women.

"Our products include tablecloths, traditional garments, embroidery, stitched bags, and similar handcrafted items," Fazila told Xinhua.

What started as a modest venture just six months ago has rapidly expanded. "We began with an initial investment of 10,000 Afghanis (about 138 U.S. dollars), and today, our capital has grown to nearly 500,000 Afghanis (about 7,000 U.S. dollars)," she said.

With an ambitious vision for the future, Fazila aims to establish similar businesses in other areas of the province to create more employment opportunities for women. She also calls on local authorities to collaborate with them and urges investors to provide financial support.

Despite restrictions preventing Afghan girls from attending school beyond grade six according to present rules, women and girls in Fazila's workshop have found a source of hope and stability through employment. They are working diligently to achieve financial independence and secure a future for themselves.

Rishma, a 28-year-old colleague of Fazila, teaches sewing skills to new trainees. She finds deep satisfaction in her role, emphasizing how a positive work environment has contributed to her overall well-being.

"I am very happy to be one of the teachers here, sharing my sewing skills with students," Rishma said.

For Fatima Rahmani, another young woman at the workshop, the opportunity has been life changing. Forced to drop out of school, she has spent the past three months training as an intern, determined to become financially independent and support her family alongside her father.

"It is crucial for young women to earn their own income, to not be dependent on others, and to build financial independence," Rahmani said. "I am happy to be here, learning embroidery and handicraft skills."

The workshop's establishment has been met with enthusiasm and support from the local community. Many residents see it as a promising development that not only benefits women but also strengthens the region's economic resilience.

"Everyone in the community, including elders like me, fully supports women seeking employment in this workshop," local resident Abdul Wahid told Xinhua. "We will do our best to help them succeed."

Since the Afghan interim government took power in 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has issued business licenses to more than 1,200 female entrepreneurs, according to ministry spokesperson Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada.

Akhundzada also noted that more than 120,000 Afghan women are currently running businesses without formal licenses. These women are active in seven key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, industry, relief services, logistics, and trade.

Despite the challenges, Afghan women like Fazila, Rishma, and Rahmani continue to push forward, proving that with determination, resilience, and community support, they can carve out a future of independence and success. Enditem

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