Hunza Valley, Where Women Break Barriers in Pakistan’s Workforce

KARIMABAD, Pakistan – In a sawdust-filled workshop nestled amidst the majestic Karakoram Mountains, a striking scene unfolds: a team of women carpenters meticulously chiseling away at cabinets. These skilled artisans are not just crafting furniture; they are forging an unlikely and inspiring career path for themselves in Pakistan, a country where women constitute a mere fraction of the formal workforce. This remarkable initiative is part of a larger trend in a collection of villages sprinkled along the historic Silk Road between China and Afghanistan, where a group of women-led businesses are boldly defying societal expectations.

Bibi Amina, a pioneer in this movement, launched her carpentry workshop in 2008 when she was 30 years old. “We have 22 employees and have trained around 100 women,” she proudly stated, highlighting the significant impact her venture has had on local female empowerment. The Hunza Valley, home to a population of approximately 50,000, is characterized by its stunning mountain landscape adorned with apricot, cherry, walnut, and mulberry orchards. The community here adheres to the Ismaili branch of Shiite Islam, a faith led by the Aga Khan, a hereditary position held by a family with Pakistani roots now residing in Europe. This unique socio-religious context has fostered a progressive environment where attitudes have visibly shifted, enabling women like Amina to embrace expanded roles beyond traditional household duties. Amina recalled the prevailing mindset of the generation before her, noting, “People thought women were there to wash dishes and do laundry.” Her own journey into carpentry began with training provided by the Aga Khan Foundation, initially for the renovation of the ancient Altit Fort. She later leveraged these acquired skills to establish her own flourishing business, with her carpenters currently working on a prestigious commission from a luxury hotel.

The initiatives in Hunza stand in stark contrast to national statistics. According to World Bank data, only 23 percent of women in Pakistan were officially part of the labor force as of 2024. In rural areas especially, formal employment for women is rare, despite their often significant contribution to family farming income. A Gallup poll published last year further underscored the challenges, revealing that a third of women respondents reported being forbidden from taking a job by their father or husband, while a staggering 43.5 percent stated they had given up work to dedicate themselves to domestic tasks.

However, the women of Hunza are rewriting this narrative. Cafe owner Lal Shehzadi is another trailblazer, having spearheaded women’s entrepreneurship in the region’s restaurant sector. She established her cafe at the top of a winding high street to supplement her husband’s modest army pension. Sixteen years later, her simple yet inviting establishment, offering breathtaking views of the valley, has become a popular night-time tourist attraction. She delights visitors with traditional cuisine, including unique dishes featuring yak meat, apricot oil, and rich mountain cheese. “At the start, I used to work alone,” she recounted. “Now, 11 people work here and most of them are women. And my children are also working here.” Inspired by Shehzadi’s success, Safina, another local woman, left her previous job to launch her own restaurant about a decade ago. Facing initial resistance, she shared, “No one wanted to help me.” Undeterred, she eventually convinced family members to sell two cows and a few goats to secure the capital needed to kickstart her business. Today, Safina earns the equivalent of approximately $170 a month, a remarkable increase of more than 15 times her previous income.

The socio-economic progress of women in Hunza, distinguishing it from other rural areas of Pakistan, is attributed to three primary factors, according to Sultan Madan, the head of the Karakoram Area Development Organisation and a local historian. “The main reason is the very high literacy rate,” he told AFP, largely crediting the Aga Khan Foundation for its instrumental role in funding extensive training programs specifically for women. Secondly, he pointed out that while agriculture was traditionally the backbone of the region’s economy, “in Hunza the landholding was meagre and that was why women had to work in other sectors.” This economic necessity, coupled with heightened literacy, propelled women into new professional avenues. The increased economic participation of women has organically spilled over into other facets of life, including the sports fields. “Every village in the valley has a women’s soccer team: Gojal, Gulmit, Passu, Khyber, Shimsal,” exclaimed 17-year-old Nadia Shams. On a synthetic pitch, she trains alongside her teammates, comfortably wearing jogging pants or shorts, attire that would be largely forbidden elsewhere due to Pakistan’s broader dress code.

In this vibrant sporting landscape, one name resonates universally: Malika-e-Noor, the former vice-captain of the national team, who famously scored the winning penalty against the Maldives in the 2010 South Asian Women’s Football Championship. Fahima Qayyum was just six years old when she witnessed that “killer kick,” a moment that clearly left a lasting impression. Today, after several international matches herself, Qayyum is actively involved in recruiting and mentoring the next generation of female footballers. “As a girl, I stress to others the importance of playing, as sport is very good for health,” she told AFP. She also highlighted the tangible benefits, adding, “If they play well, they can also get scholarships.” The women of Hunza are not just breaking barriers in business; they are actively shaping a future where women’s empowerment is a visible and celebrated reality in every aspect of life.