By Ehab Elsawaf | Deptuty Director of Development
Thank you for your support of ActionAid's work in Afghanistan. I'm writing to share a story about a sustainable livelihoods program aimed at empowering Afghan women.
Afghanistan is a predominantly agricultural country, where the livelihoods of most of the population depend on farming and agricultural production. Despite making up half of the population, women remain significantly underrepresented in business and economic activities. To address this disparity and promote women’s economic empowerment, ActionAid has launched targeted initiatives that have facilitated the establishment of small-scale honeybee farming enterprises for nearly 200 women in the Khamard District of Bamiyan Province. Through this initiative, each participant received six beehives, essential beekeeping tools, and comprehensive training, enabling them to establish and manage their own sustainable businesses.
Hasina, a resident of Khamard District, is one of the many women whose life has been transformed through this program. Before joining the beekeeping project, she was a full-time housewife, managing household chores while her family endured severe financial hardship. With her husband working as a taxi driver and serving as the sole breadwinner, their income was barely enough to cover even half of the household’s basic needs. “Our life was very difficult, and our children were deprived of education due to our dire financial situation. My husband struggled to meet even the minimal household expenses,” Hasina recalls.
Today, Hasina proudly identifies as an entrepreneur. Through her beekeeping business, she has not only contributed to her family's financial stability but also created new opportunities for her children’s education. She is now able to cover school expenses and meet their educational needs. Initially provided with six beehive boxes, Hasina now owns eight and plans to expand further. She is proud of her progress and deeply satisfied with how her life has changed.
“Compared to before, our lives have improved significantly. We are now financially self-sufficient, and both my husband and I live a much more comfortable life,” she shares. Hasina dreams of expanding her beekeeping farm even further and hopes that one day her honey products will become a well-known brand across Afghanistan.
Hasina’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of women’s economic empowerment that also serves as an inspiration to other women in her community.
By Ehab Elsawaf | Senior Major Gifts Officer, ActionAid USA
By Ehab Elsawaf | Senior Major Gifts Officer, ActionAid USA
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