A woman opened a bakery in the city of Pul-e-Khumri in Baghlan, providing jobs for at least 30 women.

Zarmina Nawabi, the owner of the business, said she invested at least 2 million Afs (at least $22,000) in the bakery to provide employment opportunities for women.

Nawabi said that more than twenty types of cakes and cookies are produced in the bakery.

“I invested the money to provide employment opportunities for women. They can learn the job and receive some income to support their families,” she added.

Mursal, a worker at the bakery, said she supports her family of 10 people with the income she receives.

“They receive the money in exchange for their work and from that income they support their families. Many of them are widows and poor,” Mursal added.

“The government should help us to improve our business, increase our employees and have more products,” said Bibi Atifa, a worker.

A number of women said that it is more convenient for them to buy products produced in women-run factories.

“We bought cookies. It is packed and the prices are reasonable,” said Marzia Rahimi, a resident of Baghlan.

This comes as women have invested in various sectors in Afghanistan in recent years.