As secondary education and most job opportunities remain inaccessible, many Afghan women are turning to entrepreneurship for financial stability and social engagement. Ghoncha Karimi, a 36-year-old beekeeper, represents one of these women, tending to her bees in an orchard near Herat City.
The Taliban’s strict regulations on women and girls are among the world’s harshest. Despite these constraints, Afghan women are encouraged to start businesses to prevent economic collapse and maintain global connections, provided they follow strict rules.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry reports over 10,000 women now hold business licenses, marking a tenfold rise in five years. Additionally, the World Bank estimates around 120,000 women work without licenses, signifying that small businesses are major employers for Afghan women.
However, this apparent growth cannot offset the diminished opportunities for women’s education and career aspirations. Many who aimed to become professionals in law, engineering, or academia are now involved in trades like carpet weaving and cosmetics because positions in government and non-profits are largely inaccessible. They are also barred from operating beauty salons or studying midwifery and nursing. Communication barriers restrict their interactions with male clients and officials.
The employment rate for women remains low, with less than 7 percent working by 2024, according to the U.N. Development Programme. Among those employed, significant challenges persist. For example, in June, widespread harassment and several arrests by the morality police triggered an unusual public protest.
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