An exhibition of handmade products was held in Kabul, in which more than 100 women also participated.

Many school-aged girls, above grade six, who are currently not allowed to attend school, attended the exhibition and displayed their handmade products.

Zahra, a student in 10th grade, said she turned to miniature art after she was banned from school.

“It has been two years since I have not gone to school. We the girls call for an early reopening of schools,” she said.

Many other schoolgirls also displayed their handmade products.

There are more than 100 booths for women.

“We are hopeless because of school. We want our schools to be reopened,” said Rukhsar, a student.

“The reason that we engaged in business is because our schools were closed and we were at home and we needed to engage in business to cope with mental pressure,” a student said.

Women entrepreneurs who supported the girls in making handmade products called for the reopening of schools for girls in grades 7-12.

“We call for the reopening of schools so that our girls can have a good future and be educated and together with us help serve the country,” Parween said.

The Afghanistan Chamber of Industry and Mines (ACIM) said that more than 550 companies attended the exhibition.

“More than 550 companies attended the exhibition and 100 stalls were organized for women,” said Sakhi Ahmad Payman, deputy head of the ACIM.

“The expenses of these exhibitions are being paid by business owners and domestic companies. Based on our plans, we will have 10 exhibitions during the ongoing year across the country,” said Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

It has been more than 600 days since the schools have been closed for girls l, with some of them engaged in crafting and other fields in a bid to cope with the mental strain of the situation.