A woman’s inspiring plunge into online business

KABUL (Pajhwok): Nargis Badr, an ingenious young woman, has changed curbs on education into an opportunity by launching an online business.

Not only has she achieved financial independence, but has also created job opportunities for other young people.

Nargis Badr, known by her pseudonym “Narcissus Unknown” on social media, had dreamed of studying at Kabul University.

She graduated from Ayesha Durrani High School and planned to study psychology. After the closure of universities, her hopes of continuing education were set back. However, she did not give up and chose a new path.

Following the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, schooling for girls above the 6th grade was suspended.

Later, a directive was issued to all public and private universities, ordering the suspension of girls’ education until further notice.

At the time, the authorities announced they were working on a plan to resolve the issue and education for girls would resume in schools and universities. However, more than three years have passed, but thes issue remains unresolved.

Choosing a new path

Nargis Badr told Pajhwok Afghan News two years ago, she started her digital commerce. Now she is the owner of a brand, selling her handmade jewellery and bracelets on Instagram and TikTok.

She commented: “For a human being, survival is very important. When their survival is at stake, people are massively impacted and get worried. I can say in the beginning, it was difficult for me too, but I adapted to it gradually.

“I coped with the situation reading books. Awareness can help us a lot, and I think the awareness I gained was what helped me overcome the challenge.”

During this time, she read more books on psychology and novels. The Forty Rules of Love by ElifShafak and Pieces of a Consistent Flower by Pona Moeini were the books that motivated her into reading.

She enormously loves Kabul University. If it reopens for girls, she would be ready to sit the exam and would again opt for admission to the Faculty of Psychology.

She says the online business has had a significant impact on her life and the lives of those around her. Calling herself a brave person, Nargis said she overcame the challenge posed by limited resources. “In the market that I entered, there was no such business. I faced a shortage of raw materials. Since quality was important to me, I couldn’t find what I wanted. It was one of the challenges.”

Her initial investment was around 20,000 to 30,000 afghanis, and since some of the raw materials were unavailable in Kabul, she imported them from a neighbouring country.

According to her, the first income she earned brought her indescribable happiness. She believes one should never give up until they see results. She has now been able to create jobs for 20 to 30 people.

She studied the online business field for at least two years to understand where to start from and what to produce in order to meet people’s needs. She drew inspiration from traders in Iran.

Nargis says that most of her customers are women, as handicrafts and fashion are closely associated with them. She sends her products via cargo services to all parts of Afghanistan and even abroad.

Nargis hopes to expand her business in the future and open branches abroad. She also plans to ramp up efforts for promoting women’s entrepreneurship.

In her message to Afghan women and girls, she said: “Live in a way that none of your aspirations is left unfulfilled, and try to strive as long as you can to reach your goals.”

Nargis is not the only one who has turned to e-commerce in recent years. Many other women and girls, after the recent restrictions, have chosen new educational paths and career opportunities, including online businesses, to realise their dreams.

Suraya Yousafi, a media activist, confirmed after the imposition of education restrictions, many girls had turned to online businesses, promoting and selling their products on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

She noted digital commerce in Afghanistan was still in its early stages, but it could still help women strengthen their skills, improve their economy, earn incomes and avoid despair.

Economist Abdul Nasir Rashtia called online business one of the most profitable ventures in the world, providing a unique opportunity for women, especially in Afghanistan.

He added the online business required significant support from governments. If the authorities provide financial resources to women, they can further promote their businesses.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told Pajhwok the ministry had always supported women entrepreneurs.

He highlighted that thousands of women across the 34 provinces of Afghanistan were actively working in various industries and sectors.

Jawad claimed MoCI had played a significant role in promoting women’s investments at all exhibitions.

According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, 65 percent of women entrepreneurs in the country, are also engaged in online businesses.

sa/mud