UN Report: 90% of Afghan Carpet Weavers Are Women — Underpaid Despite Crucial Role
Ninety percent of carpet weavers in Afghanistan are women, according to a new report from UN Women. Despite being the backbone of the industry, they receive minimal income. The report highlights that Afghanistan’s carpet industry—one of the country’s most vital export sectors—relies heavily on the labor and skills of women.
On Wednesday, December 9, UN Women announced it had organized a technical workshop aimed at supporting women’s economic growth. The event brought together representatives from Afghanistan’s carpet industry and regional trade partners, and was held in the “Irtom” free zone in Uzbekistan near Balkh province—a region responsible for nearly 70% of Afghanistan’s carpet production.
Susan Ferguson, the UN Women Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive support for women across the carpet production chain. She stated that connecting women to international markets and ensuring equal opportunities are essential for the sustainability and development of the industry.
Ferguson noted that women play a crucial role at every stage—from wool production and spinning to weaving and selling—but a lack of administrative and legal support has prevented them from enjoying the full benefits of their work. With the Taliban government imposing widespread restrictions on women’s employment and education, international efforts to bolster their economic participation in sectors like carpet weaving have taken on increased significance.
UN Women affirmed that it will continue its targeted programs aimed at increasing women’s participation and leadership in Afghanistan’s carpet weaving sector, in order to promote economic justice and sustainable growth in the industry.
