Tailoring: A Small Business Skill for Afghan Women

Weaving, tailoring and sewing skills are a lifeline for women giving them the opportunity to earn some money and contribute to the family income. Sewing classes remain very popular but some centers also offer, nut weaving, sewing with tiny mirrors, embroidery and carpet weaving. All of these are traditional Afghan crafts.  

September student numbers:

Herat: 1,245 sewing, 33 embroidery

Kabul: 283 sewing, 73 in handicrafts

Here are the comments of one student named Mena. “I am 54 years-old and I have 5 children. I suffered for a long time from lack of money and joblessness. When I found out that there is a learning center which provides services for free for all, I first enrolled my child in a computer class. I thought I could do something too and I enrolled myself in a weaving class. Luckily after only a few months I made great progress because of my hard work and the help from my teachers. Now, I can weave many things in traditional styles. I sell these things and earn money which helps my family. 

Thank you for supporting Afghan women.

Tailoring and sewing skills are a lifeline for women giving them the opportunity to earn some money and contribute to the family income.  In June, Herat centers had 1,207 sewing students, and 132 embroidery students. There were 263 beautician students, which is another income-generating skill with which women can set up home businesses. In the same month, Kabul centers had 312 sewing students and 150 handicraft students.

AIL works to provide excellent equipment for the sewing classes, making repairs to machines as needed and if necessary replacing them. We run a specific microproject for this purpose.

"My name is Farzana. I am 35 years old. I have 4 children. Due to country situation and internal war unfortunate my husband died and after that we suffered so many economic and social problems. I could not provide the basic need of food for my children. One day a neighbor said that there is a learning center which is free of charge and teaches sewing.  I joined the class and amazingly I learned sewing after three months, now I am able to sew clothes for my family and for others. I opened a sewing shop and through this I can earn money and help my family. "

Your support makes all the difference to women’s lives in Afghanistan! Thank you.