An Afghan female entrepreneur has set up a manufacturing center in Herat where at least 100 women are working to support their families.

The women are producing jam, pickles and tomatoes sauce at the factory.

Girls who were barred from getting an education or unattended women make up a large part of the staff.

“Many of them (women) are breadwinners for their families, they need to work, the salary they earn provides food for their families,” said Nafas Gul Jami, the owner of the factory.

“We are happy to work here, we financially assist our family, and it also benefits us spiritually,” said Zarifa Rahmani, a woman working at the factory.

“We are seven in our family, my husband is not able to work, I am very happy working here with women and earning to support my family,” said Toba Karimi, a woman.

Nafas Gul won the Bebe Khadija prize from the Afghanistan Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the western part of the country.

“Miss Nafas Gul won the statue of Bebe Khadija (a prize) that is given yearly by the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the west zone. It will be given with $1500,” said Nargis Hashimi, head of the chamber.

The officials at the chamber further said that small businesses owned by female entrepreneurs are flourishing and more than 300 women and girls have restarted businesses.

The products of the factory led by Nafas Gul Jami are shipped to various provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, Ghazni and Balkh.