Why do women in Afghanistan start businesses, and what motivates them to grow them beyond the micro level?
One very real reason that women (and men) start businesses in the developing world is because of necessity. If male heads of household aren’t bringing in enough money, then often the women can be successful. Even in patriarchal societies, while cultural norms may restrict women’s involvement in the economy, many husbands and fathers are very supportive of their wives and daughters being successful outside the home. In some cases, the women we deal with are stronger than their men and don’t get much push-back. We have yet to research this specifically and support with data. There are very real cultural obstacles women face that are unique from those faced by men. They stem from cultural limitations placed on women, to outright war and security problems. A very interesting question I’m researching right now is why some women take the risks in Afghanistan to be involved in the economy, while others might abide by the rules and stay close to home following the lead of their male heads of h
