Laghman Province, Afghanistan - July 21, 2010 - In Eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman Province, women have few opportunities to work outside of the home or go to school. How-ever, carpet weaving has emerged as a space for women to earn income and support their families.

While carpet weaving is traditionally most prevalent in Afghanistan’s northern regions, the USAID funded Strategic Provincial Roads (SPR) program introduced carpet weaving to the east through a community-based large grant aimed to support women’s skills, entrepreneurship and literacy in October 2009.

One such community benefiting from USAID’s grant is Mandrawor Village, a mainly agricultural based community. Women traditionally assist with the raising of animals and with farming, but carpet weaving initiatives have taken off in the Mandrawor.

Twenty-three year old Musharaba is one of the 25 ambitious young women in the community eager to learn this emerging craft and she hopes to establish her own carpet business. She is not only interested starting a business but also wants to give back to other women and teach them basic literacy.

Musharaba reflects, “During the last six months of the training, I believe I have learned enough to train other women and I am planning to launch my own business and will encourage my fellow trainees to work as a group and promote carpet weaving in our district by producing good quality carpets and helping our families meet their basic needs.”

Community development activities such as this one empower women, foster support and ownership of new USAID constructed roads, and provide sustainable employment once the roads are constructed. Musharaba is one of those women ready to expand her business along the roads.

Through this program USAID and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are advancing gender equality to help women gain access to jobs, income and to make a contribution to their families and communities.