120 women and girls have been included in the project “Making Afghanistan” and earn income by selling their handicrafts….reports Asian Lite News
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided 120 displaced women and girls who have returned to Afghanistan’s Herat, with the opportunity to learn carpet weaving, embroidery, painting, making miniatures and bag production, Tolo News reported.
These women and girls have been included in the project “Making Afghanistan” and earn income by selling their handicrafts.
Head of the “Making Afghanistan” project, Hassan Khan Ahmadzai, said, “Usually, in this project, we provide artists with access to the market and connect them with the market. We also train them based on market demand so that they can produce goods based on market demand.”
The women and girls who are part of the ‘Build Afghanistan project’ said that they are the only breadwinners and heads of their families.
A student, Marzia Haidari, said, “This work is useful for us, we can help the family, stand up for ourselves, make a contribution.”
“We are a seven-member family, and I am the head of the family. This institution is good for us,” said Hawa Hussini, another student.
Women and girls in Afghanistan have started working from their houses after the Taliban banned them from working in NGOs.
“My request to the government is not to close down work for women and to open it. Women should go to work and carry out their work,” said Sakina Merzaye, a student.
“We work in the handicraft carpet sector. The money I get from here is good for my family and I am a good helper for my parents,” said Latifa Ali Zada, another student, as per TOLO News.
These women and girls have been trained in carpet weaving, embroidery, painting, and making bags.
Sweden suspends activities in Afghanistan
The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, a humanitarian organisation, said on Wednesday that part of its operations had been discontinued in response to a Taliban directive to cease Swedish participation nationwide, reported Khaama Press.
The Taliban regime proclaimed this week that all Swedish engagement in Afghanistan must end due to the burning of a Quran in Stockholm last month. However, it remained unclear to which institutions the order would be applicable. After reaching out to the Taliban leadership to discuss issues, the relief body said, “Some activities of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) have been paused.”
“Last year, SCA received 2.5 million patient visits in our clinics in Wardak and Nuristan. 133,000 children received education in our schools, and more than 20,000 people with disabilities were supported. SCA employs over 8,000 Afghans across 18 provinces,” Khaama Press reported citing SCA’s statement.
Following the burning of a Quran outside the Stockholm Central Mosque by a Swedish citizen of Iraqi descent, the Taliban decided to outlaw the Swedish Committee from the nation, reported Khaama Press.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian sector has already been severely hindered ever since the Taliban authorities placed limits on female aid workers in December of last year. (ANI)