Jawzjan Woman Expands $2,000 Sewing Workshop into Center Employing Over 200 Women

SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan -- Wahida Karimi, a resident of Sheberghan city in Jawzjan province, launched a small sewing workshop five years ago with $2,000 in capital to help her family's economy. The venture has grown into a large production center with sections for sewing, carpet weaving, kilim weaving, embroidery and beekeeping, now employing more than 200 women.

Karimi, who studied up to 12th grade and learned sewing in a six-month training course, initially sewed women's clothing alongside six other women. As the business prospered, she expanded operations and increased her capital to more than $700,000.

"When I started the work, I had very little capital, but I believed that if women have skills, they can change their families' economies. Today I am happy that more than 200 women are employed in my workshop," Karimi said.

She added that the center has improved product quality for foreign markets, with some exports abroad and customers inside and outside Afghanistan.

Workers expressed satisfaction with the opportunities. Marhaba, who works in carpet weaving, said she was previously unemployed and dependent on her family but now supports her eight-member household and has learned a profession that alleviates depression.

"If the government creates more job opportunities for us women, we can further develop our skills, increase production levels, and introduce the carpets we weave to global markets," Marhaba said.

Shaistha, employed in sewing for a year, said the workshop provides skills like cutting and sewing, helping her family's economy. She dreams of opening her own workshop.

Zainab, another sewing worker, said the center teaches skills to newcomers and serves as the sole income source for many families.

Karimi and the workers called for government and aid organization support, including dedicated markets for female entrepreneurs, to further empower women economically.