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Afghan Women and the Afghan Industry

By Muska Hamidi

Perhaps it is a good idea to first define the two terms before discussing the relationship between Afghan women and the Afghan industry. 

In general, industry is the production of goods from raw materials. In a very broad sense, all changes that humans make on natural materials can be called industry.

While Islam does not say much about industry, Islam is clear about women: they are highly valued and recognized as equal partners of men – both are needed for the future of the human race, and the role of women is not lesser than that of men. In particular, Islam also grants women equal rights in contracting, trading, earning and owning property and other assets.

With this clarified, let us look at the role of women in the Afghan industry, and the specific problems women have in it.

Afghanistan is rich in industrial raw materials. However, this has not led to a strong female participation in the Afghan industry – in the past, women typically played a lesser role in the industry. Reasons for this include lack of financial support, lack of access to technology and lack of specialized training. 

However, in recent years the position of women in the Afghan industry has improved due to persistent female efforts. This is a testament to the courage of Afghan women despite the limitations and life challenges faced by them. As a result, women-dominated industry segments are now an important part of the overall Afghan industry, and – contrary to the common misconception that only sewing is a female-dominated part of the Afghan economy – other sectors such as textile and carpet weaving as well as the production of hand-embroidered items also feature women in prominent positions.

Some of these sectors obviously require substantial creativity – this is a particular strength of Afghan women. Given the opportunity, they can contribute their creativity to every industry sector they participate in.

Or to put it more poetically: Afghan women can be the flexible wax that forms the candle of Afghanistan’s industry in the future.

Originally posted 2024-03-16 14:50:06.