Gender-specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in rural Afghanistan

Abstract This study explores the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in rural Afghanistan, where political instability, restrictive gender norms, and limited institutional support severely constrain women’s economic participation. Using a qualitative methodology, 17 online semi-structured interviews were conducted with women operating both formal and informal businesses across diverse regions. The research identifies key barriers including early marriage, lack of education and training, restricted mobility, limited access to financial services and markets, and the impacts of the Taliban’s resurgence. Despite these constraints, participants demonstrated resilience through adaptive strategies such as home-based enterprises and reliance on social networks. The findings highlight that rural women’s entrepreneurship is often an act of survival and resistance within deeply patriarchal systems. This study underscores the need for integrated policy interventions that address not only economic inclusion but also cultural and structural barriers, in order to create a more supportive environment for women’s entrepreneurship in conflict-affected contexts.