History of Kabul Dolls

Picture of Woman making doll

The Kabul Dolls women's enterprise group was started in March 2004 by an Australian woman, Felicity Cossins, who donated her own time and money to support the initial venture. The Canadian government (through ISAF--the International Security Assistance Force) also provided support through a revolving fund. The Kabul Dolls workshop is based in Karte Char in Kabul, and is managed by Ms. Wheeda Mehri. The company has produced and sold between one and two thousand dolls, all of which are completely handmade by the dollmakers: sewn, stuffed with Afghan cotton, dressed in distinctive costumes, and painted. The primary demand for the dolls in Kabul comes from Western expatriates and visitors to Afghanistan. The company grew from its starting group of five women in 2004 to over 60 employees (40 full-time, 20 part-time) at its peak in 2005.

All aspects of the enterprise are completely run by Afghan women, and all proceeds go directly to meet the operating costs of the business and to provide a sustainable income for the workers. Currently, the company provides 20 women with full-time employment and helps to support their needy families.

Picture of rooftops in Afghanistan

The life stories of the women, the obstacles and the opportunities, reflect the radical changes in Afghanistan over the last several decades, including years of occupation, civil unrest, war, and now, reconstruction and peace. In this context, all the women of Kabul Dolls represent one or more of Afghanistan's most vulnerable groups: widows, single mothers, displaced persons and returnees from Iran and Pakistan, and/or sole wage earners for their families. They also reflect the resilience, entrepreneurship and human potential of Afghanistan in their effort to provide for themselves and their families through the production of handmade dolls that celebrate the diversity and cultural traditions of Afghanistan.

Since the summer of 2007, the dolls are being shipped into the US in small quantities, and are distributed by Libby Casas of Washington, Maine, who does this on a voluntary basis.