Empowering Women, Embracing Digital Transformation in Herat, Afghanistan

Gita Sarwari, a 37-year-old entrepreneur from Herat, Afghanistan, has been working in the tailoring profession for over 14 years. Her passion for the craft and dedication to empowering others have led her to train 25 women and girls in tailoring—helping them build their own sources of income and independence.
In 2024, Gita became part of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) project, implemented by WASSA in partnership with UN Women. Through this project, she gained vital skills in digital marketing and business development, learning how to promote her tailoring business online and expand her customer base beyond her local neighborhood.
“Before this training, I only knew tailoring with my hands. Now I know how to present my work online.”
— Gita Sarwari
Alongside the training, Gita received cash assistance, which enabled her to purchase a smartphone, access the internet, and create digital content for her products. She began using social media platforms to share photos of her designs, take online orders, and communicate with new customers.
“Thanks to this project, I learned how to use Social Medias for my business. People from outside my neighborhood now contact me for orders.”
These changes have significantly increased the visibility of her work and helped her attract more customers. Her business is not only growing, but it’s also creating opportunities for other women in Herat.
“I want every woman to know that she can stand on her own feet. If I can do it, so can they.”
Gita’s story is a powerful example of how access to knowledge, digital tools, and financial support can transform lives. With the right resources and her own determination, she has turned her local tailoring shop into a thriving, digitally connected business—and become a role model for women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan.