Family, economic situation, access to facilities, age, and even women’s and girls’ level of awareness all play a role in shaping how they view their future.
Salam Watandar has interviewed 25 women and girls aged 17 to 35 in different provinces and found that, for some of them, their families have become their main source of support and hope for the future.
Among the women interviewed, 18 considered family support one of the important factors in shaping their future and achieving their goals. They said family support can help them find other ways to continue learning or engage in economic activities, even in difficult circumstances.
Zainab, a 21-year-old 12th-grade graduate from Kabul, says her family’s support and encouragement helped her start her own business.
“I tried to create an independent career path by starting my own online shop. For various reasons, I fell behind in my education and missed some opportunities, but my family never let these problems stop me from working toward my future. Instead, they always supported me and encouraged me to start my own business. My family’s trust and support were my biggest motivation,” she says.
Saghar, a 23-year-old from Kabul whose education was left unfinished, has had a similar experience. She says her family’s support paved the way for her to continue her education and later start a business.
“When I was away from my studies and all schools and universities were closed, my family supported me a lot. I was able to attend private courses and later started a business at home. Now I am busy with my work, and all of this is because of my family,” she adds.
Alongside family support, the interviewees also consider personal motivation and belief in their own abilities important in shaping their future. Seven of the women believe that through personal effort and by making use of available opportunities, they can find a better path in life.
Freshta Ahmadi, a 20-year-old 12th-grade graduate from Faryab, is one of the girls who look to the future with motivation.
“Currently, I am taking my university classes online. I think if a person makes an effort and continues their education in any possible way, they may be able to build a better future. Despite the limitations, I am continuing my online studies and trying to make good use of my time,” she says.
Continuing education online, learning skills, and starting personal businesses are among the ways some women are trying to stay connected to their future goals.
However, the report’s findings show that a family’s economic situation is also one of the key factors that determines the future of girls and women.
Muslima Qarizada, a 24-year-old bachelor’s degree graduate from Kapisa, says: “Many women are forced to give up their personal plans and goals to cover their families’ expenses and deal with their families’ problems and daily needs.”
Marwa, a 23-year-old 12th-grade graduate from Kunduz, also says that a family’s economic situation can directly reduce the priority given to girls within some families.
“Financial problems in some families have caused them to give less priority to their daughters, and this has, in a way, taken away girls’ independence,” she adds.
The report’s findings also show that literacy and level of education play an important role in shaping girls’ and women’s attitudes toward the future.
Khadija, a 35-year-old university graduate from Ghor, says that literacy and level of education play an important role in how she views the future.
“Educated women are concerned because they know what opportunities they have lost, while illiterate or less-educated women are more concerned with economic problems and their daily lives,” she adds.
According to the report’s findings, age also plays a role in girls’ and women’s attitudes toward the future. Among those interviewed, younger girls were more concerned about continuing their education, while older women emphasized stability and adapting to the existing circumstances.
Farhat, a 19-year-old 12th-grade graduate from Parwan, says: “What still gives women hope is family support, personal motivation, and the belief that the future will change. Teenage girls are concerned about their education, while older women may have adapted to the circumstances and have more patience.”
Shoaib Ahmadi, a sociologist, says emotional and financial support from families can strengthen girls’ motivation and hope.
“The family is considered a small society. When family members support one another, it gives them motivation and hope and helps them carry out their work in an organized way. In a family, whether a son or a daughter—especially girls, because they need more attention, particularly under the current circumstances when there are many restrictions—they should be encouraged to learn more and receive economic support as well, so that they can cope with social pressures through this support,” he says.
Mortaza Khalili, a psychologist, also identifies family support for girls and women, particularly in difficult circumstances, as a factor in overcoming a crisis.
“Paying attention to their daughters, providing them with emotional support, strengthening their self-confidence, and teaching them coping skills are factors through which families can save their daughters from an unconventional psychological situation and crisis,” he adds.
The findings of this report show that despite differences in age and living conditions, women and girls identify several common factors as important to their hopes for the future: family support, personal motivation, education, economic situation, and the belief that change is possible.
Reporter: Khadija Kohistani
