KABUL (Pajhwok): A Kabul-based businesswoman, who has provided job opportunities for 30 females, wants the government to facilitate the export of her products.
Women have been significantly active in different areas in the past 20 years and are also fully involved in investments in a variety of businesses.
After the fall of the previous government in August 2021, the caretaker administration urged all female employees to stay at home until an appropriate work environment was created for them.
Recently, however, some government institutions asked their female staff members to return to work.
Amina Mirzayee, 35, established a handicraft firm called Zanan-i-Peshgam 10 years ago with a start-up capital of 2,000 afghanis.
The Kabul-based entrepreneur said that about 130 women were presently working for her firm directly or indirectly.
Mirzayee added she had tasked women in the capital and some provinces with embroidery, stitching Afghan clothes, neck embroidery for men, shoes, table runner and other types of handicrafts.
She recalled her business was in good shape until two years ago. But after the Covid-19 outbreak and the regime change, she has run into problems.
Currently conducting online transactions, she said: “After several months of hiatus, I have decided to restart my work from home via the online system.”
Satisfied with her work, businesswoman said: “When an exhibition is arranged, I participate in it and showcase my handicrafts in order to find a gainful market.”
With regard to her product rates, she said: “The price of Gand-i-Afghani dress hovers between 5,000 afs and 12,0000 afs, a hand bag costs 500 afs to 3,000afs, a traditional male suit 1,200afs to 4,000afs.
“We have customers inside and outside the country. Clients in Iran and Pakistan also place orders with us to make and deliver handicrafts to them.”
She urged the government to find a profitable market for Afghan women’s handicrafts inside and outside the country and lend them all-out support.
Government officials have always promised support to businesswomen and say they have created for them work opportunities.
sa/mud
