Afghan Women Turn to Entrepreneurship Amid Taliban Restrictions

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have enforced strict limitations on women and girls. Despite these restrictions, many women have ventured into entrepreneurship to sustain themselves economically and socially. With secondary education and traditional employment largely inaccessible, entrepreneurship has emerged as a viable option.

Entrepreneurship as a Necessity

More than 10,000 Afghan women currently hold business licenses, a significant increase from five years ago, as reported by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Additionally, approximately 120,000 women operate small businesses without official licenses. These small businesses provide employment for a substantial number of Afghan women, making them major employers according to the World Bank.

However, traditional career opportunities in fields such as law, engineering, or university academia remain out of reach. Many women have instead explored fields like carpet weaving, cosmetics, and vocational training. Opportunities in the public sector and non-profit organizations are limited. They also face restrictions on running beauty salons, studying midwifery or nursing, or interacting directly with male clients, suppliers, or banking officials.

Employment Challenges

The percentage of Afghan women in employment was under 7% by 2024, based on data from the U.N. Development Programme. Those who navigate the hurdles of employment often face further difficulties. Incidents involving morality police have led to harassment and arrests of women. In June, this sparked a rare public protest, highlighting the tension surrounding women’s employment rights.