The United Nations has recently announced that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the European Union, is helping women in Afghanistan achieve economic self-sufficiency.
UNDP Afghanistan shared today (Monday, February 16) on its X account the story of a woman from Badakhshan who, after receiving a loan from the organization, was able to establish a tailoring workshop and create job opportunities for seven other women.
Masouma, the woman who received the assistance, told UNDP: “I took a loan, bought machines, and hired seven other employees.”
UNDP further emphasized that through her tailoring workshop, Masouma is stitching a path toward self-reliance for the women gathered around her.
The organization added that by improving women’s access to financial services and supporting the growth of women-led businesses in local communities, it promotes their economic empowerment.
According to United Nations statistics, 88 percent of female-headed households do not have access to their basic needs, and only seven percent of women are employed outside the home.
UNDP stated that under these difficult circumstances, it focuses on practical and community-based solutions to strengthen family livelihoods.
It is worth noting that Afghanistan has continuously faced a severe food insecurity crisis in recent years—a crisis that has disproportionately affected women and children.
Based on United Nations data, 75 percent of Afghanistan’s population faces food insecurity, and 21.9 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance this year.
