Empowered Women See a Bright Future in Balkh Province

In a brightly lit basement, over 30 women are carefully folding and sewing pieces of fabric to produce fashionable garments for men, women, and children. Their products are uniquely successful in the market, often attracting more customers than similar garments imported from overseas. This is the Balkh Women's Bright Future Social Association.

Established in 2011 by a group of 10 women activists for the purpose of empowering women to make a livelihood without depending on others, the association is located in the Kart-e-Brishna area of Mazar-e-Sharif city in northern Balkh Province. It currently has more than 250 members. The association also undertakes capacity building activities, including literacy courses for those who cannot read or write.

Bakhtawar Azimi, 18, a member of the association, is happy to work at the sewing workshop. “I could never imagine that one day I would be able to work and earn a living but now I can do that. I learned how to sew and now I make money through it,” she says.

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Source & Copyright: World Bank