Monday, March 19, 2007

Afghan Women in Business?

YES! That is true because Kamila Kabuli who is only thirty-five years old is selling cosmetics products on the streets of Mazar-I-Sharif. She is running a small stall that was set up by provincial women’s department who assisted her set up a small stall. The provincial women’s department was very helpful for Kamila. It has set up two more stalls that sell handicrafts and clothes. It is a very important project because it is trying to get women into business. In the future, it is planning to open another 20 and rent them out to women.

I’m sure that they have experienced resistance since women are entering into business. As we all know that Afghanistan is a very conservative country and it has been dominated by men for a long time. Some women are extremely happy to see a female running her stall. While some men have opposed this project, others have welcomed it. According to Wakeel Ahmad, “It’s a good move.” He said, “I’m happy to see women doing business. We hope to have more and more women’s shops here, it will make life easier for women.”

Kabuli said, “I am very proud to have been chosen for this job although it is difficult. It can be a bit tough, but I can show that women can do it.” Bibi Fatuma said, “Women develop some comfort zone while buying products from a woman and this makes them easier to interact, which however is not the case with men shopkeepers.” So you can see that afghan women are enjoying their independence. According to the Quran, men and women are equal and women can also do trading as well as selling. There is nothing wrong with women entering into business because women used to be involved in business during the time of the Prophet Mohammad. This is why I think that there is nothing wrong as long as they are dressed up appropriately and follow Islamic rules.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=123&art_id=qw1169450641552B212

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