GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- In post-war Afghanistan, economic survival is an uphill battle, particularly for illiterate women who face towering barriers to employment. Yet, in the eastern Ghazni province, 31-year-old Tahira Sarwari proved that determination and hard work can achieve economic independence.
Facing extreme hardship eight years ago, she sold her only gold bracelet to buy a single calf, igniting a remarkable journey that has since transformed into a thriving dairy enterprise, supporting her family and providing vital jobs for her community.
"A total of five women work for me on the farm. I am satisfied that I have established a cattle farm, created job opportunities, and earned a reasonable income," Sarwari told Xinhua recently at her farm.
She also said that over two dozen people work indirectly for her dairy farm.
"We produce up to 300 liters of milk every day, and in addition, we produce yogurt, cream and cheese and supply them to the market," said Sarwari, a mother of four children.
Employees on the farm highlight the vital role such initiatives play in their daily survival.
"I work here on the farm, and my responsibility is to provide fodder to the cows and do milking," said Najwa, a 21-year-old girl.
"Living conditions are difficult, but we have to work to overcome the challenges and build our livelihood," said the girl, whose income supports her family and allows her to save independently.
While numerous women across Ghazni and other Afghan cities operate home-based businesses to sustain their households, locals note that Sarwari stands out for achieving financial independence and job creation entirely without a formal educational background.
Sarwari remains ambitious, expressing hope to expand her herd to 50 cattle in the future to further scale her production.■
