The ban on girls’ education and severe restrictions on women’s work, along with a deteriorating health system and widespread poverty have created immense challenges for women in Afghanistan. DVV International’s long-standing partner, the Afghan National Association for Adult Education (ANAFAE), uses its deep community ties to find creative ways of supporting women’s development without jeopardising their safety. Ms. Roqia*, a professional tailor and mother of two, is one of 45 participants in a recent course for female entrepreneurs. Here, she shares how she continues to grow her business despite all restrictions.
“My business specialises in tailoring clothes for women and girls, offering everything from traditional and cultural outfits to bridal and special occasion wear. I currently employ five women and train new female apprentices in tailoring and dressmaking to expand my business.
Since the de facto government took over, I have faced significant challenges. With fewer women working outside the home, demand for custom clothing has dropped, reducing sales and revenue. Travel restrictions and safety concerns make it difficult to source materials and reach customers. Women are now required to have a male mahram when leaving their homes or attending meetings, further limiting my ability to conduct business. Additionally, the economic downturn has strained household budgets, forcing families to prioritise essentials over custom clothing. Because my workshop is in my home, marketing relies heavily on word of mouth and private networks. Digital outreach is becoming increasingly important to attract new customers.
To sustain and grow my business, I participated in an ANAFAE training course – one of the few still available to women under the current restrictions. This training helped me update my sewing skills, learn new techniques, and adapt to shifting customer preferences. For example, there is now greater demand for modest, traditional Afghan clothing with personalised touches.
Beyond tailoring skills, the course also provided essential business knowledge, including pricing strategies, online sales, remote orders, home delivery, and social media marketing. Learning how to better train my apprentices has been particularly valuable, as they contribute to production and help improve product quality. Through discussions with trainers and fellow participants, we also shared strategies on navigating new restrictions and sustaining our businesses.
Despite the many challenges, I remain committed to providing tailoring services and training opportunities for women. By adapting my business strategies, I strive to sustain and grow my workshop in this ever-changing environment.”
*The name has been changed to keep the entrepreneur anonymous.