Afghan women, barred from many professions under Taliban rule, are turning to entrepreneurship as one of the few remaining avenues for independence and survival.

In Kabul, Afghanistan, women are defying Taliban-imposed restrictions by starting their own businesses, with many focusing on traditional industries like food production, textiles, and handicrafts. Despite a ban on women renting booths at the international agricultural fair in Kabul, 21-year-old Fawzia Yawari managed to participate by sharing space with Iranian exhibitors. She showcased honey produced by her family in Bamiyan Province, becoming the only Afghan woman at the event.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghan women have faced severe limitations, including the closure of girls’ schools and bans on working in many professions. However, the Taliban have allowed women to run businesses, citing religious precedent. This has led to a surge in female entrepreneurship, with the number of business licenses issued to women increasing tenfold under Taliban rule, according to the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Informal small businesses run by women are also on the rise, with estimates reaching 130,000.

Despite these efforts, female entrepreneurs face systemic discrimination. For instance, women require state approval to participate in international trade fairs, and cultural biases often deter customers from engaging with female vendors. Yawari noted that her sales dropped significantly when she personally managed her booth, as many visitors avoided interacting with her directly. She hopes to use her earnings to fund her education abroad, but for now, her profits remain modest.

The rise in female-led businesses highlights the resilience of Afghan women in the face of adversity, but it also underscores the dire economic and social conditions under Taliban rule. The restrictions on education and employment have forced many women into entrepreneurship out of necessity rather than choice. While some international organizations have boycotted events like the Kabul agricultural fair in protest, the broader global community continues to grapple with how to support Afghan women without legitimizing the Taliban regime. The situation raises questions about the future of women’s rights and economic participation in Afghanistan, with potential implications for Germany’s ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region.