Opportunities for Afghan women Entrepreneurs Afghan Peace Through Business Graduates 2010 June 22, 2010

Overview: Women in Business make around 2% of all businesses in Afghanistan Businesses women are involved in are: – Handicrafts – Healthcare – Education – Business Development – Food processing – Construction (2 women)

What are the Obstacles ? Business knowledge – Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write – total population: 28.1% – male: 43.1% – female: 12.6% (2000 est.) Cultural barriers Knowledge is power and I want to be powerful

Continue… Access to Financial Resources: – Women lack capital to invest – Women lack property ownership to use it as collateral accessing banks loan – High interest rate

Recommendations Long-term empowerment opportunities for women. (Literacy, technical knowledge and leadership skills). Government and International Aid organizations to allocate a percentage of their contracts to women businesses. Promoting awareness on Gender Equality in Economic ground.

Thank You…!!!