KABUL, March 11 (Xinhua) -- A carpet-weaving center valued at 500,000 U.S. dollars has been inaugurated in western Afghanistan's Herat province on Wednesday, the office of the provincial government said.
The initiative offers essential training and employment to women, particularly recent returnees from abroad, to promote skill-building and economic self-reliance while addressing family reintegration challenges amid ongoing humanitarian concerns, according to the office.
Currently, more than 400 repatriated women are actively involved at the facility, participating in hands-on training, practical weaving sessions, carpet production and marketing efforts, said the office.
Shakila Hashemi, one of the women engaged in the initiative, said that she is very pleased that such a center has been established in the area. "Previously, we had no access to work or training opportunities, but now we can learn carpet weaving professionally and gain renewed hope for our future and that of our children."
Afghanistan's carpet sector stands as the nation's second-largest industry following agriculture, delivering direct and indirect employment to some 1.2 million individuals and playing a major role in the country's economy. ■
