The Afghan Women’s Global Business Forum (AWBF)

Executive Summary

Global/Afghanistan Women’s Trade Caravan (G/AWTC) and U.S. Afghanistan Business Council gathered more than 70 women business owners from Afghanistan and other countries at a hybrid Afghan Women’s Global Business Forum (AWBF) on May 20th in Washington, DC. The goal of the Forum was to capture the current situation of businesswomen in Afghanistan and explore the strategies to help women inside the country overcome the barriers imposed by the Taliban regime. Nearly three years since the Taliban takeover, the situation has drastically worsened for Afghan women, especially those now grappling with the daunting challenges of resettlement abroad. The challenges businesswomen in Afghanistan face include limited access to finance and opportunities to participate in commercial events, such as fairs and exhibitions. They also lack access to training and capacity building, networking opportunities, and face interruptions in shipping and payment for their products. Furthermore, they encounter high costs of business licensing.

It is crucial to continue to support and empower Afghan women actively. Improving access to finance for women-owned businesses and access to donors can be done by increasing funding opportunities for Afghan women and creating women’s revolving funds, private funding, and small cash programs. Investing in capacity development and training opportunities can be achieved by organizing virtual training for Afghan women in areas such as marketing, product development and design, financial management, and mentorship. Additionally, establishing multi-lingual business resource centers or a hub to support Afghan women's businesses can be beneficial.

Introduction

Global/Afghanistan Women’s Trade Caravan (G/AWTC) and Afghanistan Business Council - US launched an annual global forum for Afghan women in business called ‘The Afghan Women’s Global Business Forum (AWBF)’ that was held on May 20th, 2024, in Washington, DC. This hybrid event gathered more than 30 Afghan women business owners and supporters who participated in person and an additional 40 women business owners from Afghanistan, Canada, and Europe, as well as other stakeholders from the international and business community who attended virtually. The event comprised panel discussions featuring speakers from within and outside Afghanistan, and institutions allied to women in business, as well as a group discussion.

The forum was an opportunity for Afghan women in Afghanistan and various countries to discuss a range of activities and initiatives to be advocated for on their behalf to address their challenges.

The forum also helps build bridges and trust between women inside and outside of

Afghanistan. G/AWTC and ABC have partnered with the Center for International Private

Enterprise (CIPE), US-Afghan Women Council (US-AWC), and PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS

under the Enterprising Women Foundation to convene this forum.

Afghan Women B Forum.pdf

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