KABUL – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says Japan has provided 864 million yen – equivalent to $5.6 million – to improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for women in Afghanistan.
In a statement released on Tuesday ( November 18), UNDP announced that the agreement was signed between Kenichi Masamoto, Japan’s ambassador in Kabul, and Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP’s resident representative in Afghanistan.
According to UNDP, the funding will support a two-year initiative titled “Enhancing Women’s Livelihoods through the Promotion of Economic Activities in Border Areas.”
Under the project, 73 small-scale community initiative will be launched to improve access to community-based production infrastructure, financial resources, and markets for 2,100 women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The programme aims to strengthen local economies and promote inclusive economic growth.
H.E. Mr. Kenichi MASAMOTO, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan, stated: “Japan stands with the people of Afghanistan, especially women, in their pursuit of economic independence and dignity. This project will help create safe and meaningful opportunities for women to support themselves and their families.”
He added that the project will help create “safe and effective opportunities for women to support themselves and their families.”
Stephen Rodriguez noted that this initiative builds on a previous programme aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the private sector, which demonstrated that investing in women-led businesses is essential for a prosperous Afghanistan.
UNDP stated that the project falls under a broader framework known as the “Area-Based Approach for Emergency and Development Initiatives,” which supports community resilience, job creation, and inclusive economic recovery across Afghanistan, with women’s empowerment at the core.
The announcement comes as the Taliban continue to impose sweeping restrictions on women’s economic and social participation since regaining control of Afghanistan. The group has banned women from working in government offices, local and international NGOs, and has shut down several women-led businesses.
