Entrepreneur Tahmina Ghaffer supports Afghan women through her latest business venture. Moonflowers sources saffron from the Herat region of Afghanistan, paying female farmers directly for their work.
A much sought after and precious spice—dubbed Afghanistan’s “red gold”—its harvest labor is made up of predominantly women. So Ghaffer started the business to draw attention to the pressing issues they face.
With the Taliban back in control, opportunities for women to work are scarce and risky. But Ghaffer sees saffron as a way of empowering her fellow Afghan women. “This industry allows women to have a stronger voice in society,” she says.
Tahmina Ghaffer founds Moonflowers
Ghaffer studied international public law at Rotterdam University in Holland, where she emigrated from Afghanistan at 5 years old. After graduating she practiced at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, an international court that prosecutes terrorist crimes.
In 2019 Ghaffer moved to Washington D.C, where her extended family owns restaurants. Now, she is the creative director for several of the dining group’s concepts. In 2021 she then launched her premium saffron line Moonflowers to lift up Afghan women.
‘My inspiration has consistently been rewarding individuals out of luck and adding to equity’ she says.
Tahmina Ghaffer’s personal investment
Ghaffer fled civil war in Afghanistan with her family at the age of 5. They soon found refuge in Holland. “Being from a country that has always known war, and being a refugee myself, I felt that I had to be part of this movement, and to contribute to it,” she says.
Recent events in Afghanistan have made the situation uncertain. Ghaffer still has relatives in Kabul, who have expressed worry and fear. “I continue to hear from my cousins how frightened they are,” she says.
Her solidarity with Afghan women is the motivating force behind her saffron business. “Afghan ladies have experienced a ton. We are solid, and I believe I shed light on that by offering this superior quality zest that flavors food and has medical advantages,” she says.
Thamina Ghaffer: Moonflowers boss
Saffron has been commercially farmed in Afghanistan since 2000, when NGOs promoted its cultivation over the poppy. “Poppy was for survival . . . now, Afghan farmers are actually proud they’re producing such an important export product,” Ghaffer says.
The cultivation of saffron is a fragile and painstaking process. In fact, it takes between 50,000 to 70,000 saffron blossoms to produce one pound of flavor. Often the women who work on the farms do not get paid for their work. Ghaffer is in direct contact with the women she employs across two Herati family farms. In such risky times for women who work in Afghanistan, she also helps to protect their identities.
Ghaffer believes the proceeds of her saffron business should go back into the community. To this end, a percentage of Moonflowers’ profits goes toward Skateistan, a non-profit that combines education with skateboarding. Gifts can also be bought on Moonflowers with 100% of profits going towards the International Rescue Comittee.
Follow Moonflowers @moonflowers_co for more information on how to support and check out their produce here.
