Shler Koyi

Afghanistan- From threads of fabric and the legacy of grandmothers, Kafia Ahmed wove her success story, becoming one of the women who preserve Kurdish identity and prove that willpower is stronger than all obstacles.

When a woman possesses willpower, obstacles becomen mere passing stations on the road to success. This is embodied by kafia Ahmed, a woman who did not allow difficult life circumstances or limited education to stand as barriers to her self-fulfillment. She turned her talent for sewing and designing Kurdish costumes into a project that preserves heritage and grants her economic independence and a distinguished social status.

Kafia Ahmed was born in 1976 in the city of Koya in the Kurdistan Region. Despite her academic excellence in childhood, life circumstances did not allow her to complete her education; she stopped at the primary level. However, that was not the end of the road for her, but rather the beginning of another journey and a new path through which she discovered her true passion for sewing, fashion design, and traditional Kurdish accessories.

Kafia Ahmed recalls her beginning when her mother noticed hr child’s passion for sewing and encouraged her to help her sew dresses. Over the years, that passion grew into a bigger dream. Kafia Ahmed started working from her home, balancing family responsibilities and raising her children with practicing her profession. For fifteen years, she continued designing and sewing Kurdish clothing, but her dream of owning her own shop continued to haunt her.

She says: “I felt that working from home imposed many limitations, so I widhed for an independent shop. Only four years ago, my dream came true. I opened my shop near my home so that I could take care of my family and practice my work at the same time.”

Today, after her children have become university students, she still wakes up every morning with passion to go to her shop, which has become an integral part of her life.” I feel great happiness when l sees the hats and costumes I design displayed in exhibitons and events.”

She affirms that commitment and respect for customers were among the most important reasons for her success. She always ensures to complete work on time and not break her promises. For her, work is not just a means of earning a living, but a source of strength and self‑confidence for women. "Work is not a shame; it is a source of pride. A woman should not remain completely dependent on her father, brother, or husband. When a woman works, she feels her worth and her ability to achieve. Work also opens doors for communication, learning, and gaining experience."

Kafia Ahmed did not keep her expertise to herself. She trained a number of women for free, believing in the importance of empowering women and helping them build their future. She reveals with a smile that blends satisfaction with a touch of nostalgia that her first passion was nursing. "I dreamed of becoming a nurse. If I had been given the opportunity to continue my studies, I would have chosen that specialty, but circumstances did not allow it."

The return of passion

Given her long experience in designing Kurdish costumes, Kafia Ahmed believes that society has begun to regain interest in authentic traditional clothing after years of changes that affected the form of Kurdish dress. "I still work according to traditional Kurdish designs, and I notice that people have returned to appreciating the authentic style, because Kurdish clothing underwent many changes over the past years that deprived it of part of its identity."

She adds that designing accessories to accompany Kurdish clothing has become an important part of her work, as she strives to fulfill customers' wishes while preserving the spirit of Kurdish heritage.

Despite the physical fatigue imposed by long hours of sewing, she affirms that seeing a beautiful piece come out of her hands is enough to make her forget all exhaustion.