From Outlook

The country has come a long way since the oppressive Taliban days.

There are now more than 1,000 women-led and owned businesses in Afghanistan. The founding of the Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2017 encouraged the country's women to enter the domain of entrepreneurship. More than 850 women have registered their businesses with the trade body. In 2017, women constituted 29 per cent of the workforce—a figure that has seen steady growth since. The Afghan High Peace Council, established to promote peace in the war-torn country, has 16 female members.

This change also shows in the films set in the country. Take the Angelina Jolie-produced animated movie, "The Breadwinner". It features a charismatic 11-year-old girl, Parvana, who poses as a boy to support her family. Her story has inspired thousands of Afghan girls, who seek to live freely and independently.

Another trailblazer in the country’s cinema industry is SahraaKarimi’s Hava, Maryam, Ayesha, Afghanistan’s 2019 entry for the Oscars.