Women entrepreneurs in the country have raised concerns about the challenges they face under Taliban rule. One of them is Nazifa Mohibi, who has opened a restaurant in Kabul with an initial investment of 50,000 Afghanis ($700), employing female workers in her business.
Mohibi revealed that the Taliban frequently cause problems due to the presence of women in the restaurant.
According to her, the restaurant was even shut down at one point because the female staff offended the Taliban.
Despite its modest income, the restaurant has become a vital source of livelihood for the women working there, preparing traditional foods such as Aashak.
Having previously worked with various organizations and produced handicrafts, Mohibi turned to the restaurant business after the Taliban regained power, imposing severe restrictions on women.
She sees the restaurant as a means of providing income for herself and other women, but acknowledges that the Taliban’s frequent interference creates significant obstacles.
“[Taliban] asks why don’t you have a license? Why there are women?” Mohibi said, noting that Taliban members often ask why men and women are together. “The women are in the kitchen, we have no problem. But still, we face our own problems,” she added.
The restaurant has been operating for nearly two years, with Taliban disruptions being one of its most serious challenges. “When I leave here for only an hour, I receive messages that the Taliban have come and ask why women are here. One day they came and sealed the place, asking why there were women. Women are in the kitchen; they don’t come out. They only prepare food, take it out, and distribute it,” Mohibi said.
Despite these challenges, the restaurant has gradually gained popularity among customers, who appreciate the food prepared by women.
“I always come here with my colleagues because the food is cooked by women. It is both healthy and delicious,” said Nasir Ahmad, a resident of Kabul.
“The food here is cooked by women. It is very tasty and also very affordable,” said Raziq, another Kabul resident.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, they have enforced a ban on women working in almost all government and private institutions. This exclusion has removed hundreds of thousands of women from the workforce, creating economic hardships for families where women were the primary breadwinners. Despite numerous international calls for the Taliban to lift these restrictions, they have not eased any measures against women and girls in the country.
