MEHTARLAM (SW) – Women entrepreneurs in Laghman are calling for the completion of women’s dedicated marketplace initiatives in the province.
According to local officials, around 500 women are engaged in individual businesses in this province. Some of these women produce various items, such as food products and women’s clothing, but they report to Salam Watandar that their products do not have a significant market.
These women stated that facilities for them are virtually nonexistent, yet they are compelled to work to earn a living.
They mentioned that their products do not yield substantial profits in the general market, but if a women’s exclusive market is established, they can sell their goods more easily and at better prices.
Bushra, who sews women’s clothing in the city of Mehtarlam with her sister, called on the de-facto government to complete the dedicated market for women’s businesses in the province. She said: “We are two sisters sewing women’s clothing at home, and then we sell it in the market, but they are not sold for the prices we want. If a special market for women’s handicrafts is established in Laghman, we will be able to sell our products at good prices.”
Another woman in Mehtarlam, Nooriya, who makes leather vests and clothing, also said that if a women’s dedicated market is created, they can sell their crafted vests at better prices.
“We make leather clothing and vests, and then we send them to Jalalabad where they do sell, but the profit is low compared to the effort. If a women’s market is established, we could sell our products at better prices and also fulfill orders from customers,” she explained.
Diba Samandari, an official from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Laghman, told Salam Watandar that the establishment of a special market for female traders and entrepreneurs in Mehtarlam had begun under the previous regime but remains incomplete. She said they have been in talks with relevant authorities to finalize the construction of this market.
“We have requested the establishment of a marketplace for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to sell their products at good prices and create job opportunities,” she added.
On the other hand, the head of Laghman’s Directorate of Urban Development, Hussain Ahmad Tilawi, reported that 75% of the work on the women’s market is completed, with an investment of 22.5 million afghanis. He added that he has proposed a budget to the leadership of the Islamic Emirate for the completion of the ongoing projects, and once approved, the work will be finalized.
He stated: “With the establishment of this market, women in Laghman will have job opportunities. We are working to finalize this project and have shared our discussions with the leadership; we are waiting for the approval of the budget.”
In more remote areas of Laghman, women engaged in producing handicrafts, struggle to sell their products due to limited access to the market.
