Afghanistan is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia. Lying along important trade routes connecting southern and eastern Asia to Europe and the Middle East, its history has been closely tied to empire builders. This has supported Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage, covering more than 5,000 years and absorbing elements from many cultures, especially those of Iran (Persia) and India. It is also a country rich in natural resources, and a significant producer of saffron and cashmere.

The modern boundaries of Afghanistan were established in the late 19th century in the context of a rivalry between imperial Britain and tsarist Russia. Since the late 1970s, the country’s history has been dominated by extensive warfare, including coups, invasions, insurgencies, and civil wars. Due to the effects of war in recent decades, the country has dealt with high levels of terrorism, poverty, and child malnutrition. Afghanistan remains among the world's least developed countries. Most recently, with the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, there have been reports of human rights violations, particularly regarding the rights of women and the treatment of women by the Taliban.

Here in Village Goods you will find journals with cover designs crafted by Afghan women artists. Your purchase supports the empowerment of Afghan women living in exile, a precarious situation.