UN: Trade Remains One of the Few Income Opportunities for Afghan Women Amid Rising Restrictions
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stated that following increased restrictions, establishing and continuing trade activities has become one of the few remaining options for Afghan women to sustain their livelihoods.
On Sunday, July 19, the agency released a report emphasizing that despite the rise in the number of women-led businesses, this does not necessarily reflect a real expansion of economic opportunities for them.
According to the report, more than 10,000 women in Afghanistan currently hold business licenses, a figure that has increased tenfold compared to five years ago. However, the UN clarified that the increase in official business registrations does not automatically translate into improved working conditions or broader access to opportunities for women.
The UNDP office stated that to alleviate some of these challenges, it supports women-led businesses in accessing financial resources, markets, and digital tools. This report comes amid widespread restrictions on women’s social and economic participation, which have limited their ability to operate in many employment sectors.
