Women-Only Market Opens in Herat, Boosting Female Entrepreneurs

A women-only market has been opened in the city of Herat.

Dozens of women and girls entrepreneurs are selling their products in this market, and all of its customers are also women.

Behnaz Saljuqi, head of the Herat Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: “In addition to supporting businesswomen, we have been able to encourage women who stay at home and increase their motivation to turn to business and take inspiration from women active in the market.”

Various handicrafts and food products made by women are being offered for sale in this market.

Some women entrepreneurs say that this special market has boosted their businesses.

Golafrooz Najafi, an entrepreneur, said: “This market is very useful for recognition and increasing women’s future sales. Our trainees and our work are being introduced.”

Another entrepreneur, Sadaf Osmani, added: “In these exhibitions and markets, our work becomes known, and they are very beneficial for us.”

Each of these women entrepreneurs runs production workshops. According to them, they have provided job opportunities for hundreds of women and girls.

Mahgul Hashemi said: “In the weaving and beadwork section, I have around 50 trainees. In packaging, 20 trainees are working. Nearly 150 women are engaged in pickle production, and 10 people work in the production of cleaning products.”

Zahra Rahimi also said: “Our work is producing handicrafts, including Gand Afghani (Afghan traditional clothes) and mirror embroidery. Twelve women work together in our workshop.”

The Herat Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries says that in recent years, women’s interest in business activities has increased.

According to the chamber’s statistics, currently 1,200 women are officially and more than 10,000 women unofficially engaged in business activities in Herat.