The UN Development Programme (UNDP) released a report on Wednesday titled Listening to Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Their Struggle and Resilience. This report, which collected data over the past three years, provides a detailed look at the changing circumstances of women entrepreneurs in the country.
Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, stated that women entrepreneurs have shown immense determination, courage, and resourcefulness in the face of difficult conditions.
The research found that women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan face various challenges and high costs in their businesses. Due to increased discrimination and operational constraints, as well as a weakened financial system, 41% of the over 3,000 women surveyed have fallen into debt. Additionally, almost three quarters of the respondents reported significant restrictions on their movement, such as not being able to travel without a male chaperone.
Only 5% of the women surveyed reported receiving loans from banks or microfinance institutions. Despite these challenges, women in Afghanistan are finding ways to overcome them. In a country where 15.8 million people are food insecure and the employment rate for working-age women has decreased by half in the past year, entrepreneurship has become a lifeline for women and their families. 80% of women-led businesses rely on their business revenues as their primary source of income, and these businesses also create job opportunities for other women.
Together with its partners, UNDP has supported 75,000 micro and small businesses, which have created employment opportunities for over 900,000 individuals who in turn support their families. Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan, stated that women have always been the backbone of households in Afghanistan and play a crucial role in sustaining local economies. He also emphasized the need for international support and investment in women, as their courage and resilience in the face of adversity tells a powerful story of strength and hope. The future of Afghanistan depends on them.