Bamyan handicrafts need market

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): An association has been set up in central Bamyan province where women’s handicraft industry will work together instead of individually at homes. But the established industry suffers poor market, officials said on Wednesday.

Embroidery, weaving rugs, carpets, wad, lace and handbag are among major handicrafts prepared by Bamyan women. 

But rugs, carpets and wades being made from wools of animals served as Bamyan women special art, which has special place in the country.Earlier, women used to work at their homes but recently some females associations and traders encouraged women to work collectively. Presently, dozens of associations are operating in the handicraft field, facilitating self-reliance opportunities to hundreds of women.

Over the past two years, as many as 35 women are making embroidery-made items at Shamama Association in the Azhdar valley of the provincial capital. The association head, Zahra Lali, said they often offer 150 to 200 afghanis as daily wage to their workers to boost their economy.

She told Pajhwok Afghan News they started the business by using 5,000 afs and the gradual sale of handicrafts helped them deposit 250,000 afs in the reserve. Lali said they showcased their products at an exhibitions and her own shop for sale in Bamyan City. Fariha, 35, who stitched collars at the Shamama Association, said she earned up to 6,000 afs monthly from the industry to feed her children and meet other needs. She said: “I had no profession earlier and my husband is a labourer. Getting job is so difficult, but our life is better now as I started working here.”

But Khatima, who sale handicrafts at provincial capital, said nobody supports their products, adding provision of market by government would help bolster the industry and women economy. She said local authority allocated a place for selling handicrafts in Bamyan City.  An official of tourism department, Abdul Khaliq Bamyani, said they allocated Thursday Bazaar for women to help promote their handicrafts where 20 booths were also established to facilitate women.  Sima Halimi, development projects in charge at women affairs department, described role of associations very productive in making women self-reliant. She said 34 women associations were functioning in Bamyan, with up to 30 women being engaged in the field of handicrafts in each association.

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