The establishment of three carpet-weaving workshops in Badakhshan has provided employment and skill-learning opportunities for around 150 women.

Zahir Noori, the head of these workshops, stated that most of the women working there are widows or girls who have been deprived of education. Through carpet weaving, they are able to support their livelihoods.

 “Alhamdulillah, in the districts of Jurm, Baharak, and the city of Faizabad, we have been able to provide employment for more than 150 sisters and mothers,” he said.

However, the lack of sufficient facilities, including a dedicated workspace and necessary equipment for washing carpets, remains a major challenge for these workshops.

 “We do not have a dedicated place for work, nor do we have machines for washing carpets. For this reason, we have to send our products to Kunduz and Kabul,” said Tahmineh Hakimi, the deputy head of the carpet-weaving workshop.

Some women employed in these workshops have urged the government and aid organizations to support them by providing better resources.

 “We request the government allocate a specific place for us to work,” said Sarah, one of the workers.
 “We are very happy to have this job opportunity and to be able to learn a skill. This is a valuable opportunity,”said Rohiya, one of the trainees.

The Badakhshan Department of Industry and Commerce has called on aid organizations to provide more support for the development of women’s handicrafts in the province.

Samaruddin Rahmani, the general manager of enterprises at the Badakhshan Department of Industry and Commerce, emphasized: “We have asked charitable organizations and aid institutions to increase their activities in the development of Badakhshan’s local handicrafts and to support women.”

According to statistics from this department, more than 1,000 women in the center and districts of Badakhshan are currently engaged in small businesses, and this number is increasing day by day.