New International Initiative Launched to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

A new two-year initiative aimed at expanding and strengthening women’s economic activities in Afghanistan was officially launched today during a ceremony attended by representatives of the Japanese government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to organizers, the project is designed to support 2,100 small and medium-sized, women-led businesses in border regions of the country. Another key goal of the initiative is to enhance public and community infrastructure in the targeted areas.

The launch comes amid growing restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women’s economic and social activities, significantly limiting their ability to work and participate in economic life. This situation has made the implementation of independent international programs to empower women more crucial than ever.

The international community has previously voiced concerns over the systematic exclusion of women from Afghanistan’s social and economic life under Taliban rule. Nonetheless, initiatives such as this joint project by the UNDP and Japan aim to mitigate some of the damage and create new opportunities for Afghan women.