Permit issued for women’s market in Nimroz after Pajhwok report

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): The Director of Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Nimroz says the municipality of Zaranj, capital of the northwestern province, has issued an official permit to set up a women-only market, calling it a major achievement for businesswomen.

She said this success came after publication of a Pajhwok Afghan News report.

Palosha Shams, head of the chamber, said today (Thursday): “For a year, we have been working to create a special market for women so they can work under one roof and increase their sales.”

She added that two days ago, they received an official letter from the Zaranj municipality granting permission for the establishment of the women’s market.

Calling the permit a significant achievement, she said efforts were now underway to secure support from aid organisations and traders for the market’s construction.

She added: “First of all, I would like to extend special thanks to Pajhwok Afghan News. You have always provided great support by publishing multiple reports on women’s businesses and highlighting their challenges. Your reports have truly been impactful. After their publication, one organisation contacted me and said that through Pajhwok’s reports they learned that we were seeking to establish a women’s market for female entrepreneurs. That is how our connections were made.”

She said they were now striving to obtain financial support from donors and traders for the establishment of the market and two UN agencies had promised assistance so far.

In several reports, the head of the women’s chamber of commerce and industries had previously told Pajhwok that the lack of a designated space for businesswomen was one of the major challenges.

She had called on the government to support the creation of a women-only market.

kk/ma