Home | Impact of Change | Faces of Change

Faces of Change

Poultry Farms: Hatching New Horizons for Women in Afghanistan

Ruknshana and her new poultry shed

Badakhshan district is a conservative province in northern Afghanistan where women’s activities outside the home are severely restricted. Local suppliers and wholesalers often refuse to deal directly with women, which prevents women from running their own businesses. To overcome these restrictions and actively involve women in the development of the regional economy, the Aga Khan Development Network has been supporting the establishment of female-owned ventures that can be operated in culturally appropriate ways. Commercial poultry farms are one suitable and productive venture for women since they are home-based and retailers/suppliers can deal directly with younger family members at the home gate.

Inside Ruknshana’s new poultry shed

Ruknshana and Safoora are two local women from very poor households in Faizabad, Afghanistan.  They were eager to invest their energy into poultry farms to help increase their income. Through Aga Khan Foundation’s Enterprise Development Program they received training in poultry management and the construction of poultry sheds in their homes.  The program supplied them initially with all the inputs needed to become operational (50 chicks, feed, hygiene products, etc).

These activities have a substantial impact both economically and socially. As the farms mature the two owners will each increase their household income by about $25 per week. This is a very substantial amount for a household that currently survives on approximately $400 per year. As information spreads regarding the income generating potential of these farms, other women will want to set up similar operations.

Safoora and her new poultry shed

Socially this activity impacts women positively at two levels. Contributing income to the household increases a woman’s confidence and position in active decision making. At the community level, greater female participation in commercial activities helps expand the roles that society offers to its female members.