A barrier-breaking woman’s success story

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Zeb-ul-Nisa Majidi, a young woman from the capital of northern Jawzjan province, has navigated a new path for herself and other women with her unwavering determination and hard work.

At 26, the woman from Shiberghan, previously studied engineering at the Jawzjan University. Despite her passion for learning, social conditions and limitations prevented her from pursuing her education.

However, she has since established a tailoring workshop, providing training to 10 women in her community.

Through perseverance, Zeb-ul-Nisa acquired sufficient sewing skills in less than six months from an instructor. She initially sewed clothes for her family and friends but soon began receiving orders from others.

She explains: “I’ve always wanted to learn something that would allow me to earn an income for myself and my family. With the support of friends and family, I was able to establish this workshop, where girls and women who have been deprived of education can become self-sufficient and contribute to their families’ economy.”

Zeb-ul-Nisa acknowledges that the road to success was not always easy. She faces several challenges, including a lack of sufficient capital to purchase necessary tools and raw materials, as well as the absence of support from aid organisations.

She says: “I started my workshop with minimal capital. We sew children’s clothes, kitchen sets and traditional garments. I earn around 10,000 afghanis per month, and I am very happy with this.”

She urges the government and aid NGOs to support her initiative by providing raw materials and equipment, such as sewing machines, so she can expand her work and create more opportunities for women’s education.

To other women in similar situations, she says: “Nothing is impossible. If we believe in ourselves, we can progress even in the toughest of circumstances. The key is to never give up and continue striving for a better future.”

Yaldez Alchi, an instructor at the Faculty of Economics at Jawzjan University, comments: “In the current situation, supporting women entrepreneurs, especially in small-scale production sectors like sewing, can significantly contribute to their economic empowerment.

“If the government and aid organisations invest, women will not only become self-sufficient but will also create job opportunities for others,” Alchi believed.

Latifa Sarwarzada, head of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jawzjan, emphasised the importance of such workshops and advocated for support them.

She added: “The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jawzjan is fully committed to supporting women entrepreneurs, both materially and motivationally.”

She also pointed out that there were 200 workshops in Jawzjan, 100 of which were registered with the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At least 3,500 women are actively working at these workshops.

Recently, an increasing number of women have started leaving at home to work and collaborate with families in various professions.

sa/mud