KABUL (Pajhwok): Shukria Shams, a woman in Kabul, has established a sewing workshop, not only supporting her family but also creating employment opportunities for dozens of other women and girls.
She calls on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to support domestic products by reducing imports of foreign clothing.
In a bustling old alley of Sang-i-Tarashan in Kabul’s Shor Bazaar, the rhythmic hum of sewing machines is intertwined with the dreams of young girls who stitch hope and future with thread and needle each day.
In the heart of this lively and warm atmosphere, 38-year-old Shukria Shams — a mother of several children — founded the “Afghan Women’s Business Center”, where sewing is not just a job, but a path to independence, self-confidence, and rebuilding lives.
From Iran to Kabul: Starting with empty hands
Shukria developed a love for sewing in childhood. While living as a refugee in Iran, she learned tailoring from her mother and later earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. When she returned to Afghanistan after many years, few believed she would succeed.
But she says, “When I came from Iran, most of my friends told me there’s no work here. But I started from zero, with minimal capital, just one sewing machine and my skills. I had no fear.”
Initially, she worked from home, sewing clothes for neighbors and friends. But over time, word of her talent spread, and customers began coming from various parts of Kabul.
Turning passion into enterprise: Launching a large workshop
Shukria’s dream was bigger than a small shop. Her passion for sewing inspired her to transform her tailoring shop into a full-fledged workshop where more women could work.
Two years ago, with a capital investment of $30,000, she purchased 25 sewing machines and essential equipment, launching a large workshop in Shor Bazaar. Today, it employs more than 30 women and girls.
These women work daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in areas such as stitching, cutting, ironing, and more. Shukria is pleased with her growing business and says she earns between 50,000 to 100,000 afghanis in monthly profit.
She acknowledges the challenges she’s faced along the way but says she never gave up. Her ambition is to expand her business enough to one day provide jobs for thousands of Afghan women.
Designing women’s dresses
In the warm, energetic environment of the workshop, the sound of sewing machines, scissors, colorful threads, and cut fabrics breathes new life into the art of tailoring.
As she stitched a dress alongside her colleagues, Shukria said: “The dress I’m working on now is for a client’s henna night. Including fabric and material costs plus profit, I’m making it for 25,000 afghanis — whereas a similar dress could cost up to 45,000 afghanis in the market.”
She not only shares her skills with her students but puts in every effort to ensure they are properly trained and can eventually work independently.
A message to girls, government
Shukria encourages other women and girls not to neglect their talents and abilities. “Our youth should start from small things and take action. They should bring their ideas to life and never lose hope. What matters is their mindset and motivation to reach their goals,” she said.
She also calls on families to support their daughters in learning practical skills and urges the government to back local production and limit foreign clothing imports to increase job opportunities for Afghan women.
Girls making a living through sewing
Hasna, a resident of Shor Bazaar who has been coming to the center for nearly two years, says she sews Punjabi dresses, Gand-i-Afghani dresses, and six-panel designs.
She says she wants to fight economic hardships through tailoring, become self-sufficient, and dreams of establishing her own center to empower other girls.
Pleased with the workshop’s environment, Hasna says the manager is deeply committed to helping girls learn proper tailoring skills and supports all trainees with dedication.
Zainab, another young woman, has been sewing at the workshop for a year. She works daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., making a variety of women’s clothing.
She urges other girls to join tailoring so they can meet their financial needs and become self-reliant.
Experts: Women entrepreneur should be supported
Lima Shirzai, a women’s rights activist, told Pajhwok that women entrepreneurs play a vital role in strengthening both national and household economies. “The government must provide easy, long-term loans to women so they can contribute to their country while supporting their families,” she said.
Abdullah Kakar Nissari, a professor of law and political science in Kabul, also emphasized the significance of women’s economic participation: “It enhances their social role and gives them a sense of self-sufficiency and financial independence.” He stressed that women must be supported by both their families and the government, adding, “Creating job opportunities for women not only boosts family incomes but also contributes to national economic growth.”
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry says 1,200 Licenses were issued to women entrepreneurs since the re-establishment of IEA
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told Pajhwok that before the return of the Islamic Emirate, more than 9,000 business licenses had been issued to women. Since the Emirate’s return to power, around 1,200 licenses have been granted to female investors.
He added that currently, businesswomen are active in seven sectors — including health, agriculture and livestock, construction, humanitarian work, business advocacy, services, and industry.
While he did not specify how many women are employed by businesses run by women, he noted that roughly 50,000 women are currently engaged in informal work such as poultry farming, dairy production, and tailoring.
Meanwhile, Salma Yousafzai, head of the Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that 10,661 women across the country are actively involved in various types of businesses.
She also emphasized the importance of women entrepreneurs in improving household income and reducing poverty, saying, “Creating more work opportunities for women leads to stronger financial stability for families and a healthier economy for the nation.”
