In Giza, women of different ages share a common goal: finding meaningful work that fits their lives and responds to their needs.

Tashuqat -a sustainable handmade textile brand that blends craftsmanship with sustainability through natural cotton and wool, using needlepoint and punch needle- is one of the small businesses supported by the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator Project (GGJAP). The business was founded to address a challenge its founder experienced firsthand after graduation.

“At first, I couldn’t easily find a job after graduating, so I started thinking about how I could learn a craft, create a product, and teach women like me how to work from home,” says Ola Ali, Founder of Tashuqat.

Ola created her own opportunity, and extended it to others. Through Tashuqat, she empowers women to learn a skill that is not only a source of income, but also a pathway to purpose, identity, and self-expression. Today, the entire workforce is made up of women, 100% of whom are mothers.

Nura Ibrahim, Tashuqat artisan.

 “Before I started working at needlepoint, I often felt bored and restless. My children are grown, and with my husband working long hours, I had a lot of empty time at home. This work gave me something meaningful to dedicate my time to,” shares Nura.

Seven years ago, Nura started working to make better use of her time. What she found was more than just an activity, it was an opportunity that fit her circumstances and allowed her to grow.

“I love this work because I can do it from home,” she adds.

Handmade production offers flexibility, enabling mothers and women to balance family responsibilities with professional growth. Through hybrid and flexible working arrangements, Tashuqat has created an environment where women can remain consistent and engaged.

“It started as something to fill my time and became much more than a job. I fell in love with this art. When you finish a piece, it feels like a part of you, every stitch carries something of you in it,” Nura explains.

What began as a way to pass time evolved into a source of passion, income, and self-expression, allowing women to reflect their personalities through the pieces they create.

Today, Nura and 16 other women, each with different circumstances, have found meaningful employment through Tashuqat. Proximity to their homes and flexible working hours have made a tangible difference in their lives.

Tashuqat is among 282 women-led jobs that have been supported and benefited from the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator Project (GGJAP) across four countries: Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco, implemented by UNDP in partnership with Flat6Labs and New Silk Roads, under the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) of Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.