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SHEBERGHAN (SW): With their hard work and dedication, women in Jawzjan province are playing key role in the rural economy here.
October 15 is the International Day of Rural Women. In Afghanistan, women in rural parts of the country are engaged in agriculture, handicrafts and farming.
Khadeeja and Banafsha, two women residents of Jawzjan province, have long been associated with the handicraft business in their locality. In conversation with Salam Watandar, they said this has provided them with economic independence and empowerment. Shafeeqa, another Jawzjan resident, has four children to look after since her husband is a disabled man. The income she earns by farming is helping her make ends meet.
Najia Qureshi, director for women affairs in the province, informed that thousands of women and girls are busy with farming, agriculture and handicrafts here. Mohammad Rehman, director agriculture, irrigation and livestock, said in this regard that different projects initiated by the government here have yield good results in empowering women.
Globally, women comprise 43 per cent of the agricultural workforce and play a critical role in supporting household and community food security. According to the UN, due to discriminatory policy frameworks or inequitable social norms, women farmers have less access than men to secure land tenure, agricultural inputs, financing, water and energy, appropriate infrastructure, technologies, and extension services.
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