Economic Growth Afghanistan Project #68943

From Home to Homepage: Afghan Women in Business

by Global Women's Trade Caravan

From Home to Homepage: Afghan Women in Business

Project Report | Jun 3, 2026
4th Report: Training, Research, and Opportunities

By Manizha Wafeq | Founder and Executive Director

A madebyafghanwomen.com's Customer's response

4th Report – From Home to Homepage: Growing Skills, Expanding Opportunities

This reporting period demonstrated the resilience, determination, and adaptability of Afghan women entrepreneurs. Despite increasing restrictions on women's mobility, access to public spaces, and economic participation, women continue to find innovative ways to sustain and grow their businesses. Through digital skills training, e-commerce support, mentorship, and advocacy, Global Women's Trade Caravan (GWTC) continues to help women entrepreneurs connect to markets, strengthen their businesses, and build economic resilience.

Expanding Digital Skills and E-Commerce Participation

During this reporting period, GWTC continued to strengthen the digital capacity of Afghan women entrepreneurs through a combination of group training, one-on-one coaching, and ongoing technical assistance.

More than 50 women entrepreneurs participated in practical training sessions focused on digital literacy, e-commerce, product presentation, digital marketing, online customer engagement, and business management. Additional individualized support was provided to women requiring assistance with product listings, pricing, packaging, photography, and online sales strategies.

As a result of these efforts, additional women entrepreneurs successfully launched their online stores through MadeByAfghanWomen.com, expanding their ability to reach customers beyond their local communities and connect with buyers in international markets.

Growing the MadeByAfghanWomen Marketplace

MadeByAfghanWomen.com continues to serve as a vital digital marketplace for Afghan women entrepreneurs. The platform now hosts more than 126 women-owned online shops representing entrepreneurs from multiple provinces across Afghanistan. This number was 115 last quarter.

Women are increasingly utilizing the platform not only to showcase their products but also to build confidence in digital commerce, engage directly with customers, and explore new market opportunities. Product categories continue to include handicrafts, embroidery, silk products, jewelry, clothing, food products, and home-based enterprises.

Encouragingly, sales through the platform and related digital channels continued to increase during this reporting period. More entrepreneurs reported receiving inquiries, orders, and repeat customers from international markets, demonstrating the growing potential of e-commerce as a pathway for economic participation.

Launching a National Assessment of Women Entrepreneurs

One of GWTC's most significant achievements during this period was the completion of a nationwide assessment of women entrepreneurs across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

The assessment gathered insights from more than 3,200 women entrepreneurs through surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. It examined the realities of doing business under current conditions and explored challenges related to:

Market access
Digital literacy and connectivity
Mobility restrictions
Access to finance
Skills development
Business networks and mentorship
Regulatory and social barriers

The findings revealed that while women entrepreneurs remain remarkably resilient, they face increasing isolation from markets, training opportunities, and business support services. At the same time, the assessment identified strong demand for digital solutions that can help women overcome these barriers.

From Research to Action: A Roadmap for Women's Economic Resilience

Building on the assessment findings, GWTC developed a practical roadmap outlining priority actions to strengthen women-led businesses in Afghanistan.

The roadmap focuses on six interconnected priorities:

Expanding digital literacy and digital inclusion
Increasing access to local and international markets
Strengthening business skills and entrepreneurship training
Improving access to finance and business resources
Supporting provincial networks and peer learning
Enhancing advocacy and stakeholder engagement

The roadmap is now being shared with women entrepreneurs, development organizations, donors, and stakeholders to encourage coordinated action and investment in women's economic empowerment.

Building Stronger Networks

Throughout the reporting period, GWTC continued to facilitate networking and learning opportunities connecting women entrepreneurs with experts, successful business leaders, and members of the Afghan diaspora.

These engagements provided practical business guidance while also helping women entrepreneurs build confidence, exchange experiences, and identify new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Highlights in Numbers

50+ women entrepreneurs trained in digital literacy and e-commerce
20+ women received individualized coaching and technical assistance
126 active online shops operating on MadeByAfghanWomen.com
Growing international sales and customer inquiries
3,200+ women entrepreneurs participated in the national assessment
34 provinces represented in the assessment
1 National Assessment Report and Roadmap completed and launched
Monthly networking and learning sessions conducted
Continued engagement of GWTC staff, volunteers, and Digital Gurus across Afghanistan

Looking Ahead

The findings from the national assessment reaffirm what GWTC has witnessed over the past several years: Afghan women entrepreneurs are eager to learn, adapt, and grow despite immense challenges. Digital tools, online markets, mentorship, and peer networks are increasingly becoming essential lifelines for women-owned businesses.

Building on the success of MadeByAfghanWomen.com and the launch of the Digital Women's Business Hub, GWTC will continue working to strengthen the digital ecosystem supporting Afghan women entrepreneurs and expand opportunities for training, market access, mentorship, and advocacy.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors, partners, supporters, and the Afghan diaspora community for standing with Afghan women entrepreneurs. Your support helps women sustain livelihoods, create employment, preserve traditional skills, and build brighter futures for their families and communities.

Together, we are proving that even in the most challenging environments, women entrepreneurs can continue to innovate, lead, and thrive.

Report Launch event

Links:

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Feb 10, 2026
3rd From Home to Homepage Project Report

By Manizha Wafeq | Founder and CEO

Session with Fashion Designer

We are proud to share that the number of women-owned online shops on MadeByAfghanWomen.com has reached 115.

While only four new vendors joined the marketplace this quarter, our focus shifted toward deepening outreach, strengthening existing businesses, and expanding impact beyond numbers.

Over the past quarter, we provided hands-on e-commerce training to more than 40 women entrepreneurs through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Beyond group training, 20 women received tailored one-on-one coaching to strengthen their product development, pricing, packaging, and digital marketing strategies.

As a direct result:

4 women successfully launched new online shops, bringing the total to 115 active stores
5 trained entrepreneurs completed international sales, reaching customers in the U.S. and Canada—clear evidence of both perseverance and untapped potential

Research & Diaspora Engagement

This quarter, we also launched a nationwide assessment of Afghan women entrepreneurs to:

Document challenges and successes across provinces
Identify practical solutions to strengthen women-led businesses
Map the Afghan women diaspora to unlock mentorship, partnerships, and international market access

As part of our diaspora outreach, we hosted a training session with a well-known Afghan-Emirati fashion designer, who shared both her entrepreneurial journey and practical insights. The session focused on helping women better combine handmade embroidery, design heritage, and digital tools to expand their global reach.

Recognition & Investment in Women

Global Women’s Trade Caravan convened the 11th Bibi Khadija Award this quarter. Among the 12 honorees, 5 were women trained through our program 'From Home to Homepage' and active shop owners on MadeByAfghanWomen.com.

Each of these women received AFN 55,000 (approximately USD 850) to reinvest in their businesses—supporting growth, resilience, and sustainability beyond recognition.

Operating Under Increasing Restrictions

Despite escalating restrictions, Afghan women continue to work, create, and lead.

In recent months, the Taliban have intensified policing of women’s movement and dress, introduced a new criminal code, and imposed additional barriers affecting women’s personal and economic autonomy. These measures place women and girls in an increasingly vulnerable position.

And yet—every day—we speak with women who refuse to give up. They continue producing, selling, training others, and sustaining livelihoods under extraordinary pressure. Their resilience is nothing short of remarkable.

Highlights at a Glance

40+ women trained in e-commerce
20 women received one-on-one coaching
4 new online shops launched this quarter
5 women achieved international sales
20+ in-person and virtual training sessions delivered
Bi-weekly networking sessions with expert speakers
9 team members and volunteers driving the program
1 featured success story: Seven Sisters – Herat, employing 16 women

Story Spotlight: Sediqa Tamasuki – World of Tamasuki Silk (Herat)

With more than 20 years of experience in silk production, Sediqa Tamasuki in 2008, founded her business in Herat to process silk and produce shawls, coats, purses, and shoes.

With pride, conviction and sparks on her eyes, she says: “Herat silk is the number one silk in the world.”

Today, her products are sold both through a physical shop in Herat and online via MadeByAfghanWomen.com. Her business:

‍ Employs 12 full-time women and men
Provides contract work to 20 home-based women
Offers skills training and income opportunities to hundreds of women
Online shop: https://madebyafghanwomen.com/store/world-of-tamasoki-handmade-silk/
Documented by our team as a success story in Herat

Her journey exemplifies how Afghan women entrepreneurs are transforming constraints into opportunities, creating livelihoods, and lifting other women along the way.

We extend our deepest thanks to the GlobalGiving Disaster Response Team, the GlobalGiving Global Grant Programs Team, and all our individual donors.

Your support is more than financial—it is a vote of confidence in Afghan women and their ability to build, lead, and thrive despite extraordinary challenges. We are profoundly grateful for your partnership in advancing women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan.

Sediqa Tamasuki's shop

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Oct 13, 2025
From Home to Homepage: Afghan Women in E-Commerce

By Manizha Wafeq | Founder and CEO

GWTC Herat Digital Guru trains a woman business

The number of women’s shops on MadebyAfghanWomen.com has grown to 111

Despite immense challenges, our five Digital Gurus across various provinces of Afghanistan—together with our dedicated team members outside the country—continued implementing the E-Commerce Empowerment Program with determination and impact. The program is supported by two staff members and two volunteers based in the United States.

Over the past quarter, we have provided hands-on e-commerce training to more than 50 women entrepreneurs through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. In addition to group sessions, 30 women received tailored one-on-one coaching to strengthen their product development, pricing, packaging, and digital marketing strategies.

As a result, 30 women successfully launched their online shops on MadebyAfghanWomen.com, bringing the total number of active shops to 111. This milestone marks a significant step toward expanding Afghan women’s access to global markets.

Encouragingly, 10 of our trained entrepreneurs have already completed international sales—a clear testament to their perseverance and the untapped potential of Afghan women.

During this quarter, we also organized the 2nd Afghan Women's Global Business Forum to spotlight the challenges and successes of Afghan women entrepreneurs, strengthen connections with the Afghan diaspora, and open pathways to mentorship, partnerships, and international sales.

Resilience Amid Connectivity Challenges

At the beginning of September, news broke that the Taliban intend to disconnect all Wi-Fi connections across Afghanistan, and by the end of the month, a full internet shutdown took place, lasting for 48 hours. Although connectivity has since been restored, overall access remains unstable.

For women entrepreneurs—many of whom rely on mobile data as their only means to stay connected—the situation has become increasingly costly and challenging. Yet, despite these barriers, Afghan women continue to work, learn, and make every effort to remain connected to the world.

Their resilience is inspiring, and it strengthens our resolve to continue supporting them. Let’s keep standing with Afghan women as they strive to sustain their businesses and voices in the face of adversity.

Highlights in Numbers

50 women entrepreneurs trained in e-commerce

30 women received one-on-one coaching and support

30 women launched online shops on MadebyAfghanWomen.com

10 women achieved international sales (U.S., Australia, Montenegro, and Denmark)

20+ in-person and virtual training sessions delivered

Bi-weekly networking sessions with expert speakers

9 team members and volunteers driving the program

1 inspiring success story featured: Seven Sisters in Herat, employing 16 women

Story Spotlight: Seven Sisters – Entrepreneurs and Change-Makers

Three years ago, a group of sisters in Herat decided to start a small production business. When they were choosing a name, their brother suggested “Seven Sisters,” symbolizing their unity and strength—and that’s how their journey began.

Today, Seven Sisters is not just a family business but a model of women-led empowerment.

‍ Employs10 full-time women

Provides Contract work to 6 women working from home

Offers Skills training and income opportunities

Sells Handmade products on https://madebyafghanwomen.com/store/sevensister/

Featured: Documented by our team as a success story in Herat

Their dedication demonstrates how Afghan women entrepreneurs are transforming challenges into opportunities, creating livelihoods, and uplifting other women in their communities.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the GlobalGiving Disaster Response Team, the GlobalGiving Global Grant Programs Team, and all our individual donors. Your continued support makes it possible for us to deliver sustainable, meaningful impact for Afghan women entrepreneurs.

Your contributions are more than financial—they are a vote of confidence in the power and potential of Afghan women. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our mission and your partnership in advancing women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan.

GWTC Herat Digital Guru trains a woman business

Links:

Global Business Forum's Report in Washington DC

Attachments:

Featured Afghan Women on our E-Commerce Portal (PPT)

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