Women in Afghanistan’s central province of Ghor say the combination of Taliban restrictions and the decline of international aid programs has severely undermined small businesses that once provided them with income and financial independence.
Residents told Amu that support for women-led economic projects — including poultry farms, livestock programs, tailoring workshops and embroidery businesses — has declined sharply since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Many of the initiatives were previously backed by international aid organizations and development agencies that provided training, equipment and financial assistance to women in rural communities.
Women in Ghor said those programs enabled them to earn an income and contribute to their households, but many have since been scaled back or discontinued.
“We have the ability to manage livestock farms, but we receive no support,” said Shahida, a resident of Ghor. “If we were supported, we could build capital and support ourselves.”
Others said assistance for poultry farming projects, which once helped women generate income from home, has largely disappeared.
“If organizations support us, we can manage poultry farms and expand them,” said Fatima, another resident. “But we cannot do it with empty hands. We need support from aid organizations.”
Some women who turned to small businesses after receiving vocational training said their livelihoods are now at risk.
“I know tailoring and embroidery, but it is difficult to continue without support,” said Leila, a resident of the province. “If someone helped us, it would improve our economic situation.”
Local residents said support once provided through international development and humanitarian programs has diminished significantly in recent years, leaving many women with limited opportunities to sustain their businesses.
The decline comes as Afghanistan faces a broader reduction in foreign assistance. Since the Taliban takeover, many international donors have scaled back development programs, while humanitarian funding has fallen sharply amid competing global crises and donor fatigue.
The impact has been particularly severe for women. Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s employment, education and participation in public life, limiting their ability to work outside the home and access economic opportunities.
Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that women-headed households and female entrepreneurs are among those hardest hit by Afghanistan’s economic downturn. The reduction in international assistance, combined with restrictions on women’s work, has left many families increasingly dependent on informal labor, remittances or humanitarian aid.
For many women in Ghor, the loss of support has meant the disappearance of businesses that once offered a rare path toward economic self-sufficiency.
“We can work and manage these projects,” Shahida said. “What we need is the opportunity and support to do so.”
