Facing bans, Afghan women turn to carpet weaving

Описание: (5 Mar 2023)
AFGHANISTAN CARPET
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 3:08
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Herat, Afghanistan - 26 February 2023
1. Various of young women weaving carpet in small factory
2. Rear shot of Razia Jafari instructing carpet weavers
3. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Razia Jafari, carpet weaving instructor:
"The carpet industry is renowned worldwide. I implore the global community to support us and the factory where we work as much as possible. By doing so, we can create employment opportunities for women here, helping them to avoid feelings of isolation and depression at home."
4. Women weaving carpet
5. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Razia Jafari, carpet weaving instructor:
"The young women who work here are former students who have been barred from attending school. Personally, I had a job that was suspended, but now I work here as an instructor."
Herat, Afghanistan - 26 February 2023
6. Various of Najiba Hussaini weaving carpet at her home
7. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Najiba Hussaini, carpet weaver:
"I used to work for the government and received a salary that provided for my children. But since the Taliban came to power, many people have lost their jobs, including myself. Despite my efforts, I couldn't find any other employment except for carpet weaving, which is a misfortune."
Herat, Afghanistan - 10 February 2023
8. Various of Herat top views
Herat, Afghanistan - 27 February 2023
9. Various of carpet shop
10. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Nazar Mohammad Qasemi, carpet trader:
"I have made a big investment in the carpet industry, but we are currently facing problems. Due to difficulty in air travel, our sales have declined considerably. We used to have customers from neighboring countries, but their numbers have decreased significantly."
11. Various carpet shop workers showing carpets to costumers

STORYLINE:
Razia Jafari used to work as an accountant at a hospital in Afghanistan's Herat before the Taliban came to power in 2021.

The 23-year-old lost her job after the group's crackdown on women’s and girls’ rights to work and education.

Jafari, and many like her, including former students and employees who lost their job, have turned to carpet weaving to make a living, engage in social activities and have a sense of purpose.

Jafari called on the "global community to support us and the factory where we work as much as possible."

"By doing so, we can create employment opportunities for women here, helping them to avoid feelings of isolation and depression at home," she said.

The Taliban took power in August 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces after 20 years in Afghanistan.

As it did when it first ruled the country from 1996 to 2001, the militant group has gradually reimposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, driving women out of schools, jobs and aid work, and increasingly into their homes.

For centuries, carpet weaving has been an integral part of Afghan culture.

Afghan handmade carpet was recognized in 2008, 2013, and 2014 at an international awards event held in Germany annually.

But due to the decline in foreign tourism and visitors to the country, the prized Afghan carpet is now selling at much lower prices than before.

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