UNHCR helps returnees build up businesses and start again in Afghanistan

UNHCR, with generous support from its donors, is delivering livelihoods programmes in Afghanistan geared towards helping refugee returnee and displaced populations, especially women, access economic opportunities, support themselves and contribute to their communities.

Bahara (not her real name), from Herat, is a widowed single mother who was deported to Afghanistan last year. 

She invested her limited savings and sold her gold jewellery to start up a small sewing business that she called Almas, or Diamond. Recently, she was able to rapidly expand her enterprise after receiving a UNHCR livelihood grant which her to purchase three new sewing machines, a specialised beading machine, as well as other equipment and materials. Currently, she employs 12 other women as tailors, while eight other women work as carpet weavers in an adjacent room, many of whom are female-headed households.

“Since receiving the grant, our work has significantly improved.  We have also been able to employ more women, and our work has become much better”, she said. 

The company currently produces around 150 items each week, including hospital uniforms and some fashion items, which are sold to local wholesalers. 

“Every day, I have about five to ten women coming here looking for work.   The grant we recently received from UNHCR made the women happy and more people have joined my workshop.  This is good for me and the women around me.  It is an honour for me to create job opportunities for other women”.

Bahara has big dreams and hopes to expand production in the future. She hopes her example can encourage other women to try to find solutions and not to give up on their dreams.

“When I returned, I created work opportunities for myself and others. I’m very happy.  I can better serve my country and my motivation has increased”, she said.  “Here, I can make progress, and other people can be successful alongside me”.

From hardship to hope, Bahara’s journey proves that with determination and support, Afghan women can build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.