KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women have launched a joint initiative to improve Afghan women entrepreneurs’ access to finance, with an initial investment of 1.7 million US dollars.
In a statement, UNDP said the Afghanistan Women’s Fund for Resilient Enterprises (AWFRE) would provide Sharia-compliant financing alongside business development support, including financial and digital literacy training, mentoring, business planning and assistance in accessing markets.
It said the initial joint investment of $1.7 million would support around 1,500 women entrepreneurs over the next year, indirectly benefiting more than 14,000 people through stronger businesses, household incomes and increased economic activity.
“The challenge for Afghan women entrepreneurs is not a lack of enterprise, but limited access to the finance, skills and networks they need to grow,” said Turhan Saleh, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan.
“Through the initiative, UNDP and UN Women are bringing these elements together: Sharia-compliant, collateral-free financing, practical business support and sustained mentorship to help women strengthen their businesses, build resilience and create more secure livelihoods for themselves and their families,” he added.
Susan Ferguson, UN Women Representative in Afghanistan, said expanding women’s access to finance was important for the growth of women-led businesses.
The statement said UNDP and UN Women were seeking an additional $10 million to expand the initiative. If secured, the funding would enable another 10,000 women entrepreneurs to access finance and business support.
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