Shafiabad Village

Shafiabad Village

Shafiabad, a resilient village in Kerman Province, southern Iran, lies within the scorching Lut Desert one of the hottest places on Earth. Faced with extreme heat, water scarcity, and limited economic prospects, many residents once considered migration. But a decade ago, a group of local women sparked transformation. In a traditionally male-dominated society, they formed a cooperative brand, GOJINO, producing handicrafts and reviving lost hope. By allocating part of their income, they restored ancient qanat water systems and began replanting the land to prevent desertification. The UNESCO inscription of the Lut Desert in 2016 and the village’s location on the historic Silk Road created new opportunities. The community restored its historic castle, hosted international desert marathons, and developed sustainable accommodations. These efforts, led by the “Women of the Sun,” turned Shafiabad into a thriving desert tourism hub. Shafiabad now stands as a beacon of community resilience, sustainability, and gender empowerment.