The assembly of women entrepreneurs, the first of its kind, was convened by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme’s Gender Equality Project.
A round-table seminar involving multiple partners including women entrepreneurs, representatives from ACCI, the government and international organisations, was held on the occasion.
The participants developed a position paper outlining the challenges women face in the business sector. Some of the proposals in the paper include increasing women’s role in business and minimising the threats hindering businesses run by females.
Other suggestions include prioritisation of funding for women entrepreneurs, the capacity development in relation to financial services, entrepreneurship and soft skills.
ACCI Chief Executive Mohammad Qurban Haqjo said, “Traditionally, Afghan women have been involved in sectors such as carpet-weaving, artisanal crafts and agriculture.
“In the past decade Afghan women have shown they are able to play a leading role in formal like international trade, construction, manufacturing, transportation and business consultancy as well. This augurs well for the future of Afghan women entrepreneurs.”
UNDP Country Director Alvaro Rodriguez said in his message: the “UNDP Afghanistan considers gender equality and women’s economic empowerment as an imperative for accelerating and broadening progress toward inclusive and sustainable economic development.”
An exhibition showcasing around 25 women-led companies’ products and handicrafts was jointly inaugurated by Haqjo and Fulya Vekiloglu, programme manager for UNDP’s Gender Equality Project.
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