Empowering women through e-commerce in Afghanistan: Challenges and opportunities

Authors

  • Royda Ghiyasi Department of Medical, WOUS University, Afghanistan
  • Sadaf Amiry Department of Curative Medicine, Kabul University, Afghanistan
  • Behnaz Rahimi Department of Medical, Zan Online University, Afghanistan
  • Tamanna Quraishi Department of Computer Science, The University of People, United States
  • Muhadesa Hashimi Sayed Shah Khan High school, Balkh, Mazar-E-Sharif, Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62568/bhinneka.v1i1.166

Keywords:

E-commerce, women empowerment, Afghanistan, infrastructure barriers, cultural norms

Abstract

E-commerce has emerged as a transformative tool for empowering women globally, yet its impact in contexts like Afghanistan remains underexplored. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities of e-commerce in empowering Afghan women, focusing on infrastructure barriers, cultural influences, and empowerment outcomes. A quantitative research design was employed, with 140 undergraduate students from Zan University participating across four faculties. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, analyzing participants' perceptions through Likert scales and statistical methods. Results indicate significant infrastructure deficiencies and cultural norms hindering women's engagement in e-commerce, despite its potential for enhancing financial independence and social status. Strategic interventions, including infrastructure development and capacity-building programs, were identified as critical for overcoming barriers and maximizing e-commerce benefits. The study underscores the need for gender-sensitive policies and targeted interventions to foster women's participation in online business activities in Afghanistan. By addressing these challenges, e-commerce can serve as a catalyst for advancing gender equality and economic empowerment in the region.

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Submitted

2024-07-21

Published

2024-07-22

How to Cite

Ghiyasi, R., Amiry, S., Rahimi, B., Quraishi, T., & Hashimi, M. (2024). Empowering women through e-commerce in Afghanistan: Challenges and opportunities . Bhinneka Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Studies, 1(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.62568/bhinneka.v1i1.166

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): August 2024 (In Progress)

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Royda Ghiyasi, Sadaf Amiry, Behnaz Rahimi, Tamanna Quraishi, Muhadesa Hashimi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.