Khanum Gul, a resident of Sarmata village in Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz, has been engaged in livestock farming for more than 20 years. Five years ago, she also started orchard farming. Her days are spent caring for her cows and goats, tending to her orchard, and working on her farmland—tasks that, despite the fatigue and difficulties they bring, have become an inseparable part of her life.
In a narrow street in Herat, the sound of sewing machines and the smell of leather fill a small but vibrant workshop, where Kamela Mirzaei—a girl whose life took an unexpected turn and who was denied the opportunity to continue her education—now works in a shoemaking workshop. She says the workshop has been operating officially for the past four years and is run with the help of her family members.
The unprecedented trend of migrant returns—particularly from Iran and Pakistan—amid regional tensions and Afghanistan’s economic hardships is pushing the country toward a humanitarian crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warns that Afghanistan cannot, on its own, withstand the simultaneous pressures of large-scale return migration, poverty, and climate change.
Consecutive droughts in Al-Jihad District of Sar-e Pol Province have created serious challenges for livestock owners. Shortages of fodder, dried grazing lands, and water shortages have caused many families to lose part of their livestock or sell their animals to sustain their livelihoods. However, the recent rainfall over the past month has renewed hope among livestock owners across the district.
According to dentists, hormonal changes during different stages of a woman’s life—from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy—are among the major factors contributing to dental and gum problems. These changes can lead to gum inflammation, bleeding, tooth decay, and increased tooth sensitivity.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has announced that the UN Security Council will hold a meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Salam Watandar’s interviews with 26 youth (16 girls and 10 boys) from eight provinces of Afghanistan show that behavioral habits—both good and bad—play a decisive role in their success, peace of mind, and social relationships.
A number of pregnant women in Kunduz are experiencing swelling of the body, a condition that disrupts their daily lives and requires proper awareness and medical care. Doctors warn that this condition, particularly during the final months of pregnancy, can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.
Findings from interviews conducted by Salam Watandar with 24 women learning foreign languages indicate that language learning in Afghanistan has become a key strategy for accessing education, employment, and migration.
A number of farmers in Badakhshan say that this year’s rainfall has been more regular than in previous years, having a positive impact on their farmland. They say most of the province’s agricultural land is rainfed and that insufficient rainfall in recent years has led to reduced crop yields.
Although religious scholars state that the home serves as a hijab for women, and in the absence of non-mahram men in the home environment, a woman can wear clothing of her own choice within the framework of Sharia, a number of women interviewed by Salam Watandar in Herat say their fathers or husbands do not allow them to wear their preferred clothing inside the home.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan has warned that a widening funding gap threatens the continuation of life-saving humanitarian assistance across the country.
