A woman in Balkh province has established a sewing workshop, creating job opportunities and skills training for 40 other women and girls.

The workshop manager says that with support, she could provide job opportunities for many more women and girls.

Tahira Rahimi, after being deprived of education, created the sewing workshop by spending 400,000 Afghani.

Tahira Rahimi, the workshop founder, said: "My goal in creating the workshop is to provide job opportunities. Currently, 40 girls are working in this workshop. If supported, we can create more opportunities."

Meanwhile, the Balkh Directorate of Industry and Commerce pledged to make efforts to facilitate and support businesswomen's activities in this province.

Naseer Ahmad Niazi, Deputy Director of Industry and Commerce of Balkh, said: "Institutions and NGOs, numbering 14, in coordination with the Directorate of Industry and Trade, have supported many women and girls, helping them sustain their lives and their businesses to flourish."

The women and girls working in this sewing workshop say that by working here, they can meet their families' daily needs.

They urge cooperating institutions and the interim government to support such small workshops.

Somaiya Afghan, an employee, said: "If there is work, we might earn 6,000 a month, and now that there is no work, we earn 2,000 a month. The money helps with household expenses."

Shabana Mirzaei, a trainee, said: "When the schools closed, many girls became depressed, and this sewing workshop became a good opportunity that changed our spirits and was good for our economy too."

Marsal Sarwary, an employee, said: "I ask all institutions to support us to promote our work and create job opportunities for other women and girls."

The manager of this sewing workshop said that they currently sew hijabs, children's clothing, and children's bedding, and they request interim government officials to help market their handmade products