Women-led businesses support economic recovery

Basra Governorate, located in southern Iraq, is home to more than 4.5 million people, yet only 60% of its water needs are currently being met. Agriculture, which accounts for 60-80% of water consumption, has been hit hardest by water scarcity, forcing many farmers to abandon their crops and farmland. Among them are the families of Sumaya and Salma, both of whom struggled to recover financially after losing their agricultural livelihoods due to drought and rising water salinity. Despite limited economic opportunities, women-led businesses play a critical role in supporting household survival, particularly when male breadwinners are unable to work.

Becoming First Female Farmers’ Association Leader 

Sumaya Abdul Ali Taher, 46, lives in northern Basra with her elderly mother, whose disability limits her mobility, and her brother’s family, including his six children. Unmarried, Sumaya bears much of the responsibility for caring for her mother and supporting the household. For years, she earned a living by cultivating vegetables and selling them in local markets. 

But life became increasingly difficult as climate change and rising water salinity damaged her crops, depriving her of the family’s primary source of income. “I used to wake up every morning to tend my crops. They were my only source of income. When they were destroyed, I felt as though all my hard work had been lost.”, she recalls. 

At a time when she was struggling to rebuild her livelihood, Sumaya joined Action Against Hunger’s Farmer Field Schools program, funded by the Government of Canada. Over six months, she attended two training workshops each month covering agriculture, marketing, livestock management, and climate-smart farming practices. The program provided direct support to 360 farmers, including 26 women.

Through the training, Sumaya not only strengthened her agricultural knowledge but also learned about relevant regulations, expanded her professional network, and connected with experts from the Directorate of Agriculture.

“I asked many questions, and every answer opened a new door of understanding and opportunity”, she explained. Sumaya also received training on managing water salinity through solutions such as drilling artesian wells and cultivating alternative crops. 

When the Farmers’ Association announced its elections, Sumaya decided to run for a leadership position. In doing so, she became the first woman in northern Basra and one of the first in the governorate to stand as a candidate. Her decision was met with skepticism, and some candidates openly questioned her chances of success simply because she was a woman.

Determined and confident, she campaigned for the position and won by an 11-vote margin over her closest competitor. “They said I would not win, but I proved that women are capable of leadership and change”. 

Since then, she has expanded her farming and marketing activities and continues to support rural women farmers, encouraging their participation in the association and helping them develop their skills and livelihoods. 

From One Small Room to a Thriving Enterprise 

Salma Jaafar Mohammed, 50, lives with her family in a small village. She has a 17-year-old daughter who is still in school, while her husband is unable to work due to a chronic illness. As the primary breadwinner, Salma supports her household while also sharing a crowded home with her relatives. Her only personal space is a single room that serves as both a bedroom and workspace.

Despite the demands of caring for her daughter, ill husband, and mother-in-law, Salma remained determined to provide for her family. From her small room, she began making pastries and sweets to sell within the village. “I knew I had to be strong for my daughter and my husband.”, she explained. 

Salma’s journey took a significant step forward when she joined a program implemented by Action Against Hunger through the Feminist Solutions to Climate Change-Driven Food Insecurity project, funded by the Government of Canada. Alongside 29 other women, she received a USD 1,500 grant to invest in new tools and equipment for her business. She also completed a two-day training course covering business management, marketing, and basic accounting.

The support enabled Salma to strengthen and expand her enterprise, opening new opportunities for growth. “Thanks to this project, I started to dream bigger”, says Salma. 

With this support, Salma developed a brand identity for her products and promoted them through social media. She also introduced a free delivery service, allowing her to reach customers beyond her village and significantly increase demand. As her business expanded, she created employment opportunities by hiring a delivery worker and a part-time assistant. She also secured a contract to supply pastries to local school cafeterias.

Today, Salma’s enterprise has grown into a sustainable source of income, with a broader customer base and new market opportunities. Looking ahead, she hopes to relocate her business to a central market location and see her daughter graduate from university.

Sumaya and Salma’s stories demonstrate how resilience, determination, and targeted support can empower women to build stronger livelihoods and create lasting change for their families and communities. In Iraq, Action Against Hunger runs three projects across the country to support the most vulnerable individuals.