SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): With a sewing machine, a determined Zarmina Khairi in northern Jawzjan turned a small investment into a thriving workshop, providing jobs for 50 women while reviving the province's fading carpet-weaving tradition art.

Zarmina Khairi, head of the“Turk Jawzjan” carpet weaving and tailoring workshop in Shiberghan, told Pajhwok Afghan News that she founded this workshop four years ago.

She added:“I have been a tailor for 10 years. I started my work with just one sewing machine, a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, and a bundle of yarn, which cost around 20,000 afghanis. But now my capital has reached 700,000 afghanis, and in addition to working myself, I have provided job opportunities for 50 poor women and girls.”

According to Khairi, 30 women work in the carpet weaving section and 20 women in tailoring.

She said:“My goal in establishing this workshop was to create work opportunities for unemployed women and girls, and also to prevent the carpet-weaving industry of Jawzjan province, which has a rich history, from being forgotten.”

Regarding the wages of the carpet weaving employees, she explained:“The women working in the carpet weaving section are paid based on the size of the carpets they weave, and the tailoring instructors are paid monthly according to their production.”

A number of women employed in this workshop expressed happiness about having found work.

Shakera, a 25-year-old woman working in the carpet weaving section, said:“Before coming here, I was unemployed at home, but now, thankfully, I have work.”

She added that due to unemployment and economic problems she had become depressed, but now her depression had eased and her financial situation improved.

Meanwhile, Tahmina, one of the tailoring apprentices, said that she has been working in the workshop for one year, during which she has both learned tailoring and managed to support her household expenses.

She considered the establishment of this workshop effective in reducing women's unemployment and strengthening family economies, adding:“During this time, I learned a lot, such as cutting, trimming, stitching, and more.”

At the same time, Noria, one of the tailoring instructors in the workshop, also welcomed its creation, saying that now she can earn an honest livelihood for her family.

She explained:“I am a daughter in my parents' home, but I work outside and contribute to the household economy. I am very happy and satisfied with my work. Through this, I can provide food and clothing for my family. I ask the officials of the Islamic Emirate to allow other women to work as well. Through tailoring, I earn a monthly salary of 5,000 afghanis.”

On the other hand, Latifa Sarwarzada, head of the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jawzjan, told Pajhwok that in recent years the number of tailoring and carpet weaving workshops has been increasing across the city and districts of this province.

She considered the growth of such workshops a positive development in improving family economies and encouraging women's active participation in society, adding that the Chamber is striving to expand efforts in this field.

sa/ma

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