“I told myself I should travel to Kabul and buy more equipment, including a refrigerator, before expanding my bakery business. This dream never came true when my country fell to the Taliban.
I used to run a business in my province. I hired five women to bake cookies and cakes that I would sell in a shop I rented at the women’s market.
In Afghanistan, baking businesses thrive during Eid, a festival that brings Afghan families together to mark new beginnings. For Eid, Afghans welcome guests into their homes, where they serve cookies, cakes, donuts, ice cream rolls, cakes and dried fruit.
My province is very isolated. Mountains, unpaved and bumpy roads discourage people from traveling outside the province unless there is an urgent need. Fearing damage along the way, shop owners don’t bring bread products from Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city and the main hub where food, clothing and daily necessities arrive. other provinces. I decided to produce all of these in my province. First, I opened a bakery business, then I rented my own shop in town, where I sold other items made by women — handicrafts that celebrate our culture and clothing for women and children.
When it is spread that there is a bakery open in our province, people will go from far away villages to buy my products. Then I realized that it was time to expand my business by opening more stores around town. This means hiring more women and buying equipment — like refrigerators to store and keep produce fresh.
© UNICEF / Sayed Bidel
Women receive rations at a food distribution point in Herat, Afghanistan.
‘I had to close my business’
During those weeks, when I was planning my expansion, the Taliban took over Afghanistan. I did not expand my business; I had to turn it off. The women I hire have lost their jobs – almost everyone in my province has lost their jobs. Women face limitations in running businesses and working. Businesses can barely survive when people lose their jobs and have no purchasing power, and when banks can no longer lend money.
I am heartbroken, but hopeful. I recently reopened my business and I am working on a marketing plan to stay afloat. Now that more households know about my business – and since women need a woman-friendly space more than ever – I’m determined to make anniversaries, anniversaries, and family occasions fun. memorable family by serving new cookies, cakes and pastries. My store will be a place for women to come together again.”
* The names, locations and course of events have been changed in this article for the safety of Afghan women’s human rights defenders.
