Notice: Jaghori district is one of the 18 districts of Ghazni province. Ghazni has two major markets or bazar; Ghojor and Sangmasha markets. Women play an active role in Jaghori markets; there are saleswomen, industrialist women, pharmacists, librarians, and women drivers. Taliban have invited women teachers and government women employees working in Jaghor public office and have told them they shall observe the dress code issued by the Taliban. But these women have told the Taliban that their dress code is according to Islamic teachings and they will continue observing it.
Nazdana Ebrahimi is one the Jaghori women who is working as a book seller for last five years. Jade Abresham Weekly had an interview with Ms. Ebrahim on her career which is discussed in the following lines.
JAW: How long have you been working as a bookseller?
Nazdana Abrahimi: When I graduated, I married and then had a child. As I could not continue my education, I asked my wife to help me start a business. After giving it a good thought, I decided to have a bookshop. My husband supported me financially to open this bookshop.
JAW: Why did you open a bookshop? What was the main reason?
NA: I knew investing in other sectors is more profitable but, I decided to buy and sell books and stationery. I also intent to serve the people and consider it enabling the cultural promotion and development.
JAW: We have heard from your clients you lend books. How do you do it?
NA: I lend books to those clients who can’t buy books. I know selling books is more profitable but started lending books to enable people read books in a cheap price. We take some money as guarantee from the clients and then lend them books against a small amount of money.
JAW: Did people Warmly welcome your initiative?
NA: Yes, they did. Fortunately, many people buy books and stationery. School and university students lend books. I think women treat better their clients than men and the attract more customers.
JAW: How is the presence of Jaghori women in the market and who do you foresee their career in the future?
NA: Currently, there are many women working here. They are working as tailors, handicrafts, pharmacists and etc.
JAW: Have you ever faced misbehavior?
NA: Rarely. But, the majority of the people have a positive perception about my job and they encourage me. There are times that people underestimate my job. Because they think it was better for me if I was working in industry or had another job. Some people even are against women to work but, they are a few ones.
JAW: Do read books while you are here?
NA: Yes, I do. When there are no customers, I study. Actually, I study several books in a week.
JAW: Do you want to continue your education?
NA: When my child grew up, I want to continue my higher education and until then I read books.
JAW: Have you ever held book reading contests?
NA: We have conducted one book reading contest and one street book exhibition in our district. Many people participated in the book reading contest and I am very happy about conducting it. Many people participated in the street book exhibition as well. We gave books as gifts to some school teachers some months ago.
JAW: Do you want to implement such programs in the future?
NA: Yes, we will conduct such programs when there are good opportunities.
JAW: who are most of your customers, men or women?
NA: Women. Men usually buy books for school and university subjects but, women and girls buy supplementary books to read them. I have noticed women have less access to money that’s why I initiated the lending approach
JAW: How did the Kabul fell impacted on your job?
NA: Before Kabul fell, people were more motivated and read books. We lent more than 25 books; but, now we lend about 25 books in a month. Kabul fell had severe negative impacts on our business and I hope the situation improves soon.
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