HERAT — Despite the Taliban’s tightening restrictions on women, a small group refuses to give up their entrepreneurial ambitions. In Herat, a modest fruit-chip factory founded by entrepreneur Sadiqa Sadiqyar now employs ten women producing dried fruit snacks by hand.
Sadiqyar, who launched the venture five years ago, said the factory once exported products to Turkey before the Taliban takeover. Today, she rues the collapse of export opportunities and limited support for women-owned businesses.
“We used to export to Turkey during the republic,” Sadiqyar said. “Now, we can only sell in the Herat market.”
Exhibitions that once showcased their products have dwindled. “There used to be several shows a year,” she said. “This year, there’s been just one — and only in Herat.”
Inside the factory, many of the young women working there have had to leave their education to support their families. One, Taraneh Attar, said, “I’m studying graphic design, but if I can find this work, I can support myself.”
Another employee, Maliha Ghoriar, said the factory has captured roughly 30 percent of the local market with its offerings. “Unlike Iranian brands,” she said, “our products are completely natural.”
Since the Taliban returned to power, restrictions on women’s commercial activity have tightened considerably. Under new rules, women cannot manage exports without a male guardian, making logistics cumbersome and sharply curtailing their ability to conduct business.
Despite these hardships, Sadiqyar and her employees persist — driven by necessity and resilience, and the hope that one day they will again be able to fully participate in a fair and vibrant economy.
