The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says it has helped rural women increase food production and expand their home-based businesses with support from the European Union.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 14, marking the International Day of Rural Women, the agency said the women had improved their products and gained access to more markets through training and the provision of equipment.
According to the agency, a lack of equipment, limited market access, and insufficient knowledge of business practices have been among the main obstacles to expanding these businesses.
UNDP added that, under the Afghanistan Community Resilience Programme (ACRP), it has helped women improve product quality, packaging, and marketing, with support from the European Union and in cooperation with the United Nations.
The agency said rural women’s businesses not only create employment opportunities for women but also support local farmers.
However, unreliable electricity, a lack of cold-storage facilities, and limited access to financing remain major challenges for these businesses.
