Can not be ignored
In the 20 years between the fall of the U.S.-led Taliban in 2001 and the return of Islamists, many women became business leaders, especially in cities like Herat.
The city has long been an important business center close to the border between Iran and Turkmenistan. In recent months, many women entrepreneurs have fled.
The head of the city’s Chamber of Commerce Younes Kazizad told AFP that he hopes the Taliban will make an official statement stating that “women can also come back to do business under the leadership of this government”.
At present, the fate of companies such as Attai is up in the air.
“We hope to start a female business in our country again,” Kazizade added.
Artai said that at present, she is staying in her hometown because she has “some hope” for the survival of her business.
Before the U.S. withdrawal, a massive airlift evacuated 124,000 people from Kabul Airport.
“I can also leave. But I did not leave because all the efforts and efforts we put in should not be ignored,” Artest said.
“I don’t think they will stop our work,” she added, referring to the Taliban.
“We are a company entirely run by women and employing women-no man has the courage to stop this. A woman who is eradicating fields day and night cannot be ignored.”
