KABUL (SW) – Officials from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) say that in the past three years, the organization has supported around 75,000 women with means for sustainable livelihood.
Stephen Rodriques, head of the UNDP in Afghanistan, told Salam Watandar that these women are active in fields such as sewing, carpet weaving, food production and processing, and other areas.
“Since 2021, we have supported 75,000 entrepreneurial women who have small businesses in various sectors. I have seen many women working in sewing, carpet weaving, dairy, and other fields,” he stated.
Some of the women who have received assistance from the UN say that these aids have enabled them to meet their families’ food needs.
Salma, a resident of Jowzjan who runs a poultry farm, said she received support for 30 chickens from an organization backed by the UN. Salma added that through raising these chickens, she is able to fulfill her family’s food and non-food needs.
“Such aid is a great help for poor families, especially in livestock and poultry farming. Our request is for continuous support for those women who are impoverished, so they can meet their family’s needs through this assistance,” she expressed.
Marzia, a resident of Ghazni who runs a livestock business, also said that the support she has received from the UN has led to better income for her. “I have found job opportunities and good income, and many women in my area are also engaged in livestock and poultry farming.”
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, currently about 50,000 women in Kabul and the provinces are informally employed in poultry farming, livestock, sewing, and other sectors.
