Returnee Woman Provides Jobs for 13 Women in Laghman

A woman who returned to Laghman from Pakistan has established a tailoring workshop, creating job opportunities for 13 other women.

The founder of this workshop, 36-year-old Homeira, returned to Afghanistan with her family from Pakistan nine months ago. With an investment of 60,000 Afghanis, she set up this workplace.

She says her goal in establishing this workshop is to help women who are vulnerable, impoverished, or recently returned from Pakistan or Iran.

Homeira hopes that one day she will not only expand the number of women’s workshops but also be able to present her products to markets across the country. Currently, 13 women in need are employed in this workshop, sewing colorful clothes every day.

She explains: “It has been nearly seven months since I established this workshop. I sold my jewelry and bought sewing machines. My goal is to support women who have no head of household or who are returnee refugees.”

Homeira emphasizes that she continues her activities in the province without any concern. Currently, the products of this small tailoring workshop are sold both wholesale and retail in the markets of Mehtarlam and Jalalabad.

She adds: “The clothes are sewn here. The women workers receive between 80 to 100 Afghanis per garment. Shopkeepers place orders and then resell the products. Compared to the first months, the market is now better.”

The women working in the workshop come in two separate shifts to sew various items such as embroidery, appliqué, and traditional stitching, spending several hours each day at work. Considering the challenges they face, Homeira calls for support.

She says: “Many women come here seeking work, but we face problems in space and machinery. Currently, we only use basic machines and cannot afford modern equipment. Therefore, cooperation and assistance are necessary.”

Some of the women sewing colorful clothes in the workshop say the income they earn is spent on their children’s education and providing food for their families.

24-year-old Zarlishteh, who works in the small tailoring workshop, says she is the sole breadwinner of her five-member family. Before working here, she struggled with depression. But now her economic problems and sadness have lessened.

She shares: “We are five sisters; I am the eldest. My father suffers from a heart condition and cannot work. Previously, I learned sewing from someone else, but now I work here and sew two garments a day. This job sustains my family.”

Another woman in the workshop, Amina, who is the head of her household, says working here is her only hope to provide food for her family. She says she supports her expenses through this job.

She adds: “I have been working here for three months. I am a woman in need with seven children. It is hard without a husband or provider, but I am satisfied with my work.”

This comes at a time when, following the Taliban’s return to power, restrictions on women’s education and work have increased nationwide. Many women strive to create small workshops like this to provide employment opportunities for women in need.