Nangarhar Woman’s Pickle Workshop Creates Jobs for Other Women

A 22-year-old woman in Nangarhar province has launched a pickle production workshop at her home in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, providing employment for other women.

Shabnam Safi started the business with an initial investment of 10,000 afghanis, which has grown to 50,000 afghanis. She produces between 200 and 400 bottles of pickles daily, offering three types: raw, mixed, and pure chili pickles. "We produce between 200 and 400 bottles of pickles every day, and other women work here with me," Safi said. "We have three types of products: raw, mixed, and pure chili pickles, and we want to expand production in the future."

Women employed at the workshop expressed satisfaction with the home-based job opportunities and urged the Islamic Emirate and relevant institutions to support women entrepreneurs. Iqra, one of the workers, said: "A few other sisters and I come here every day. We work from morning until evening to earn a lawful income for our families. Before this, we were unemployed at home."

Another worker, Arzu, added: "We ask the government to support small businesses because many women are still unemployed at home. If they are supported, more women can work and production will increase."

Local officials in Nangarhar have welcomed such initiatives. Shakirullah Stanekzai, head of industrial parks and commercial affairs at the Nangarhar Directorate of Industry and Commerce, praised women entrepreneurs and outlined support measures. "Under the order of the Amir al-Mumineen, 50 jeribs of land will be allocated in Jalalabad for industrialists," Stanekzai said. "We are working with relevant institutions to provide land for small businesses and with organizations and banks to encourage support and facilitate access to loans for small entrepreneurs."

According to the Nangarhar Directorate of Industry and Commerce, 450 large and small industrial factories currently operate in the province, employing thousands of people.