By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, July 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – As the Taliban rapidly advance across Afghanistan, designer Marzia Hafizi is worried about the survival of her fashion business and of the gains women have made in the last 20 years.
Hafizi, 29, opened her clothing store Lora in the capital Kabul in 2018, fulfilling a long-held dream of becoming a businesswoman in her conservative, male-dominated country – an unthinkable feat during Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001.
“If the Taliban come back to power and impose their old, dark mentality, I might be forced to leave,” Hafizi said, over whirring machines as men and women tailors cut, sewed and ironed her latest designs.
“All of my friends and family are advising me to quit and leave the country (but) my resolve to promote women’s businesses, create jobs for them and see a self-reliant Afghanistan is keeping me here and fighting for survival.”
