Afghan business women find help, hope

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.27.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - Helping their families - that is what these women want to do. And that is where the Afghan Women's Business Federation provides help.

The AWBF is a non-profit, non-political, private sector organization providing technical training and business assistance to Afghan women business owners, according to Mariam Mubeen Sediqi, AWBF trade development manager.

"The federation can be a helping hand for the Afghan business woman," said Aziza Mohmmand, business owner and AWBF chairperson. "[AWBF] provides a good market for their products." Founded in 2005 with the financial backing of USAID, AWBF has approximately 30,000 members. The federation helps women interested in starting, managing or expanding a business. This includes everything from technical training to marketing.

The organization marketed itself when 25 members of the AWBF showcased hand-made goods, such as jewelry, rugs and clothing during a bazaar at the North Kabul International Airport military compound, Jan. 24.

The bazaar came to the IJC because the staff gender advisor, Dutch Lt. Cdr. Ella van den Heuvel, attended an AWBF show in Kabul. After speaking with the participants, she decided the bazaar needed to come to the IJC.

"It is important to show the people in ISAF the women of this country. If you don't pay attention to them, [you are] only paying attention to half the population," Heuvel said.

According to Sediqi, the problem with many local business women is they don't have access to international markets. The federation helps promote the businesses both nationally and internationally, participating in shows in places such as Germany and India.

Shows are held for each of the seasons and national holidays, said Mohmmand, who started her business, Muska Ball and Leather Making Company Ltd., in 2004 and joined AWBF in 2005.
For those involved, the benefits are far more than monetary.

"I'm feeling happy with myself, working with Afghan women and seeing smiles on their children's faces," said Mohmmand. "We are working to [improve the] economy and find respect."

To see photos go to: www.flickr.com/isafmedia/sets/72157623274298154

• Date Taken: 01.27.2010
• Date Posted: 01.27.2010 04:45
• Story ID: 44481
• Location: KABUL, AF