The UN Women’s Department in Afghanistan states that the livelihood of 1.2 to 1.5 million Afghans relies on carpet weaving, and Afghan carpets are renowned globally for their quality, beauty, and artistry.
This organization announced on Tuesday, April 9, in a report on its website that, according to the World Bank report, women in Afghanistan make up nearly 90% of the subsectors of weaving and wool spinning.
Furthermore, it is mentioned that women, with their unique cultural importance, often take up this profession as the sole breadwinners of their families to preserve traditional techniques and earn income.
Women artisans and carpet weavers in Afghanistan learn the skill of carpet weaving from their mothers, grandmothers, and other female relatives, passing down this art from one generation to another through training others.
The organization states that most women carpet weavers work from home, using natural materials such as wool, silk, and cotton to create high-quality handmade carpets on wooden or metal looms, earning between 4000 to 6000 Afghanis (approximately 50 to 76 US dollars) monthly as a spinner or weaver.
According to this report, “Following the return of the Taliban and the rapid disappearance of women’s rights and opportunities, in the years 2022 and 2023, the UN Women and local partners have begun supporting 90 women in villages across three provinces to improve livelihood opportunities in weaving and spinning sectors.”
Carpet weaving has been one of the income-generating avenues for women in Afghanistan, and Afghan handmade carpets are known for their quality and reputation, particularly in the regional and global context. However, over the past two years following the fall of the government, numerous restrictions have been imposed on women’s work, leading to many of them losing their jobs.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
