Afghan Businesswomen Face More Challenges Than Opportunities, Says US Chargé d'Affaires

Karen Decker, the Chargé d'Affaires of the US embassy for Afghanistan, met several Afghan businesswomen in Istanbul and said that they face more challenges than opportunities. Decker said that Afghan businesswomen have been "inspirational" and urged them not to give up hope.

Earlier, the US embassy’s Chargé d'Affaires had announced that she will visit Turkey to meet Afghan activists to find out how they relate to the situation inside Afghanistan.

The US diplomat met Afghan businesswomen outside Afghanistan at a time when most Afghan women activists have left the country due to the Taliban imposed restrictions or have left their jobs and businesses.

The Taliban have been accused of excluding women from social, political, and educational environments in Afghanistan, and despite the pressure of human rights groups, the Taliban remains restrictive regarding women and girls of Afghanistan.