UNODC’s report recently shows that drug use in Afghanistan is still mainly influenced by traditional substances; however, the consumption of synthetic drugs and the misuse of medical medicines are on the rise.
According to The Guardian, Pakistan’s military said attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Balochistan province yesterday killed 33 people, including civilians, while security forces killed 92 attackers in response.
She said: “I don’t understand anything about cervical cancer. If I have pain or infection in my genital area, I feel ashamed and usually don’t tell anyone. In our province, there aren’t many female specialist doctors, and even at the health center, examinations are basic.”
Nazifa Fateh, a 21-year-old resident of Faryab, said, “After the girls’ schools were closed, I lost the chance to continue my education. I felt I should not spend my time aimlessly, so I decided to learn a profession to stay occupied and be useful to myself and my family. With the few basic tools I had at home, I began learning sewing on my own.”
A number of farmers and greenhouse vegetable growers in Bagram district of Parwan, say that winter vegetable production is mostly small-scale and traditional. They explain that the lack of protective facilities has caused them significant losses. Most of their fields are open to the elements, and they face severe cold, repeated frost, and no heating systems, which reduce both the quantity and quality of their crops.
Despite these rights, many women still struggle in practice. Fatima Ahmadi, a 29 years old teacher, says, “My husband decides how my income is spent. Sometimes I can give my opinion, but he always makes the final decision. He has forced me to hand over my full salary even when I needed it myself.”
“For many Afghans, education is not just a right. It is a necessity. If we do not study, we have nothing to stay for, nothing to survive on. Education is a way to escape a fate that threatens us,” Samir says.
He said: “I studied Turkish online through YouTube for about four months, and it was very useful. Today, we can study from home and create a university-like environment for ourselves. Online learning is also very cheap—almost free. You only need internet.”
Shaimagul Samadi shares a similar story. She says: “Before, I knew a little about herbs, but I didn’t know how to use them—what they are good for, what benefits they have, or how they work. Since I came here, I’ve learned how to use them properly.”
She adds: “Before coming here, my family’s financial situation was very weak, and I faced many mental health challenges. When I heard about the workshop, I joined and learned sewing in one year. By making clothes, I now have an income and can help my family. Most importantly, my mental health has improved.”
Before using AI, I imagined it as a complex and almost frightening technology from science fiction, something meant only for scientists, programmers, or large companies. I never thought it could be part of my personal life or learning; instead, I believed this technology would either save the world or threaten it.
Following the political changes in Afghanistan, small businesses have emerged as a key source of hope for women seeking financial independence. Interviews with 23 women reveal that while many rely on small loans to sustain themselves, for some, these loans also bring economic and emotional stress.
