Mar 05 (IPS) – Zainab and Mursal, two young Afghan women, had their education cut short by the Taliban. But instead of surrendering to despair, they picked up a needle and thread—transforming their skills into a thriving sewing business that now provides income and inspiration to other Afghan women.
What began as two determined young women and an old sewing machine has grown into a workshop that not only sustains their families but also empowers others.
Now, they dare to dream even bigger, to expand their sewing shop in the near future to start churning out products stamped with their own brand name.
“My dream is to one day ship our products to big cities and even register our own clothing brand,” says Mursal, one of the founders.
From Hardship to Opportunity
Zainab, 22, and Mursal, 20, both from Bamyan Province, live under strict Taliban-imposed restrictions that ban women from education and salaried employment.
Zainab lives in a family of five, including her mother and three brothers. Their mother stays at home and her two brothers have not found jobs since graduating five years ago from the university. Zainab became the sole breadwinner for the entire family after her father’s death,
Mursal on her part, lives in a family of ten, including her father, mother, four sisters, and three brothers. She also contributes to her family’s income in whatever way she can, alongside her father, a security guard.
“When the Taliban slammed the university doors shut and left me with no education, it felt like my world had crashed,” says Zainab.
But her mother encouraged her “not to simply sit around or else nothing would change”. She taught Zainab how to sew—lessons that would soon change their lives.
A Business Built on Determination
Initially Zainab and Mursal took a credit of 30,000 Afghanis (USD 403), from relatives to buy an old sewing machine and some supplies.
“We had no sewing experience but were determined to learn, often working late into the night to improve our sewing skills”, says Zainab.
“Our work was very basic but our first customers, made up of neighbours and close relatives gave us full support,” says Zainab, with a smile. Adding, “Every garment we sewed boosted our confidence.”
After a few months, they were able to purchase a second sewing machine with their savings.
“The moment had come to involve other girls in our work”, Mursal explains.
Their small sewing shop, which operates from a rented space, costs 2,000 Afghanis per month, not only provides tailoring services, but also trains 16 women in sewing skills, for which they charge 250 Afghanis per month from each student.
Empowering Women, One Stitch at a Time
The sewing shop not only helps improve Zainab and Mursal’s financial situation but also provides an opportunity to empower other women.
One of the workshop participants, who happens to be their aunt, says: “This workshop has given me new hope. Prior to this, I had no source of income. But now I not only have an income, but I feel like I am a useful member of society”, she says, with air of satisfaction.
However, as Zainab explains, setting up the workshop came with its unique set of challenges. For one thing, they were still gripped by fear that the Taliban might close their shop since they had banned women from working.
For another thing, uncertainty continued to stalk the viability of the shop, says Zainab, “Sometimes, we didn’t have enough money to buy fabric and yarn. But we never gave up. Even if we had to, we would take advance payments from customers in order to buy the raw materials.”
No more. Having succeeded in turning their fortunes around with sheer determination, Zainab and Mursal can now smile towards the future.
“Every garment we sew is not just a product; it is a symbol of our hope and effort to build a better future,” Zainab says proudly.
Mursal also cuts in, “We’ve proven that no obstacle can stop someone who truly wants to change their life.”
© Inter Press Service (2025) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service
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