The European Union Delegation to Afghanistan has recently announced that the EU has provided ten million euros to support the empowerment of Afghan women entrepreneurs.
In a statement, the European Union said that the funding will be channeled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch the second phase of the programme titled “Women’s Economic Empowerment through the Development of Local Businesses.”
The statement noted: “This project combines Sharia-compliant financial mechanisms that are adapted to local cultural contexts with business development support, mentoring, and linkages to markets.”
The EU Delegation emphasized that the project will be implemented in a number of underdeveloped provinces in the central regions and Hazarajat, areas where women’s participation in the labor force is low and access to financial services remains limited.
According to the statement, by working through community-based platforms and local market systems, the project seeks to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable opportunities for the participation of women entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, Stephan Rodriques, Head of the United Nations Development Programme in Afghanistan, said that the project will support thousands of women and women-led businesses through financial literacy training, access to Sharia-compliant financing, and tailored services.
He added that by helping women start and expand sustainable businesses, the project will not only improve their incomes and economic roles, but will also contribute to overall economic recovery and the creation of much-needed employment across Afghanistan.
It is worth noting that since the return to power of the caretaker government, the European Union has been one of the largest donors to Afghanistan.
