Several girls graduate from sewing and leatherworking course in Kabul

KABUL (Khaama Press): Despite the restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration on women, two organizations celebrated the graduation of 30 girls from vocational training programs in sewing and leatherworking in the western part of Kabul.
On Monday, the “Arvin and redevelopment of Society” training centres celebrated the graduation of 30 women, previously deprived of school and university education, in sewing and leatherworking. The event was notably attended by many women and girls, highlighting their achievements in these fields.
The extensive participation of women and girls in this ceremony was particularly striking, especially during a time when the Islamic Emirate is making efforts to marginalize women and concerns over the eroding agency of women have significantly intensified.
Officials from these institutions state that despite the lack of job opportunities for girls and women in the country, they are training them in handicrafts to help them achieve self-sufficiency and financial independence.
Shirin Arvin, head of the Arvin Training Center, said: “This is the sixteenth batch of girls we have graduated in handicrafts training. Today, another 30 girls who have been trained in sewing and leatherworking have completed their courses.”
Hajira Mohammadi, one of the trainees in sewing and leatherworking, says she turned to sewing training after educational courses were banned. She is now able to work in this field.
Having completed grade twelve, she encourages other girls to learn English and pursue their education abroad.
Zaher Sultani, a teacher and founder of the Zuhur Training Center, emphasized the importance and necessity of educational institutions in the country at the girls’ graduation ceremony. He described the deprivation of girls from education as an irreparable blow to society.
Mr. Sultani also urged girls deprived of education to fill the educational gap by using available technologies and social networks to acquire education and knowledge.
According to a report by Khaama Press, more than dozens of women entrepreneurs are active in the handicrafts and women’s clothing sales sectors in western Kabul, creating job opportunities for hundreds of other women.
Meanwhile, an English language training institute in western Kabul is preparing girls for scholarships to study abroad. Currently, more than 500 girls are being taught English at this center.