Opportunities for Afghan women Entrepreneurs

Afghan Peace Through Business Graduates 2010June 22, 2010

Overview:

• Women in Business make around 2% of all businesses in Afghanistan

• Businesses women are involved in are: – Handicrafts – Healthcare – Education – Business Development – Food processing – Construction (2 women)

What are the Obstacles ?

• Business knowledge – Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write– total population: 28.1%– male: 43.1%– female: 12.6% (2000 est.)

• Cultural barriers Knowledge is power

and I want to be powerful

Continue…

• Access to Financial Resources: – Women lack capital to invest – Women lack property ownership to use it as collateral accessing banks loan – High interest rate

Recommendations

• Long-term empowerment opportunities for women. (Literacy, technical knowledge and leadership skills).

• Government and International Aid organizations to allocate a percentage of their contracts to women businesses.

• Promoting awareness on Gender Equality in Economic ground.

Thank You…!!!