Despite the current restrictions on women working in many sectors in Afghanistan, agriculture remains one of the fields where women continue to play a significant role.
In various provinces of Afghanistan, women work alongside men in the fields, proving that agriculture is not solely for men, and women can also excel in this domain.
One such woman is Mumtaz Yousufzai, who, despite the difficult circumstances for women in Afghanistan, is actively working to bring hope to Afghan women through her efforts. She says that with each seed she plants, she strives to inspire hope in the hearts of struggling Afghan women.
A graduate in psychology, Yousufzai has a deep passion for women’s work in agriculture. She recalls how, in 2018, she decided to create a network for female farmers, and with her dedication, she established the “Union of Female Farmers.”
Mumtaz explains: “I’ve worked with Afghan women and children for over 25 years, and this motivated me to find ways to support rural women. Since 2009, I’ve been involved in practical agricultural work. According to a survey I conducted, many women were busy planting vegetables, fruits, and working in other agricultural sectors. Ultimately, I decided to unite these women.”
Mumtaz adds that reaching women, especially those in remote villages, has not been easy. She attributes the traditional societal norms and customs as obstacles to bringing women together under one umbrella of her union, making the task of organizing female farmers particularly challenging.
Currently, there are 4,500 women involved in agriculture who are members of this union, with more than 500 women active in Kabul alone. The Union of Female Farmers operates in 26 provinces of Afghanistan.
“The Union of Female Farmers was founded in 2018 with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Family Economy Department of the ministry. Since then, we have expanded to 26 provinces. Uniting women has been a challenge, especially those in rural areas, as traditions and customs made it difficult for them to come together under one umbrella. But we’ve managed to make that happen,” she said.
The Union of Female Farmers, provides various educational services to women in the agricultural field. According to the union’s head, Mumtaz Yousufzai, female farmers connect with aid organizations through the union. Women also receive guidance on creating home gardens, assessing chemical fertilizers, and selecting agricultural seeds.
Yousufzai emphasizes: “We also assist women in evaluating the best crops for their agricultural land. Our work focuses mainly on rural women.”
Ms Yousufzai believes that every woman has the ability to take practical steps to improve the situation of other women using the resources at her disposal.
Salam Watandar sought the perspective of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock under the Islamic Emirate on its programs to support women in the agricultural sector, but the ministry did not provide a response.
