Category: TOP NEWS

650,000 cubic meters of gas a day; economic opportunity or environmental challenge?

As Afghanistan needs domestic energy sources more than ever to meet its energy needs, gas fields in Jawzjan produce about 650,000 cubic meters of natural gas each day. The gas helps meet part of the country’s electricity, fertilizer, and other energy needs. Officials say the gas is extracted in accordance with technical and environmental standards. However, experts warn that without close monitoring of water resources, soil, and pollutants, continued extraction could have serious environmental consequences.

From a simple bottle to a vacuum cleaner; a 16-year-old girl’s innovation in Ghazni

In an old house with three mud-built rooms in the “Qala-e Shahada” area of the sixth district of Ghazni city, 16-year-old Mahdiya Qurbani lives with her seven-member family. She is the eldest child in her family and an eighth-grade student at a religious school. With a simple but creative idea, she has succeeded in building a practical vacuum cleaner.

Library shortage; youth in Samangan call for more public libraries

The lack of public libraries in several districts and the shortage of learning resources in Samangan’s provincial center have become one of the serious challenges facing education and the promotion of reading culture. As the need among youth and students for updated books and academic resources continues to increase day by day, limited access to library facilities has made it difficult for many readers to find reliable learning materials.

When others make the decisions; youth under the shadow of judgment

Salam Watandar’s interviews with 33 young people (18 girls and 15 boys) in Kabul and several provinces of Afghanistan show that interference and judgment from others have had a significant impact on their personal choices, education, social relationships, and other aspects of their lives.

Fungal diseases of wheat amid climate change raise concerns among farmers in Kapisa

Fungal diseases of wheat in the fields of Kapisa have raised concerns among farmers. A number of farmers in the province say that, in recent years, changes in rainfall patterns and increased humidity have contributed to the spread of these diseases, causing significant losses to wheat crops.

Maternal mortality in Afghanistan; when poverty and limited healthcare access put mothers’ lives at risk

Postpartum bleeding, high blood pressure, and limited access to healthcare services are among the most important causes of maternal deaths in Afghanistan. This finding is based on interviews with the families of victims, doctors, international organizations, and the Ministry of Public Health. In this report, Salam Watandar interviewed 15 families, international organizations, doctors, and the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate.

UN: Over 200,000 people in Afghanistan are affected by climate change annually

The United Nations has said that climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of people in Afghanistan by reducing crop yields and increasing the frequency of natural disasters.

Women volunteers; the struggle to keep career dreams alive

Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 40 women volunteers across 11 provinces show that many women have turned to volunteer work due to limited employment opportunities, the need to gain work experience, maintain connections to their professions, develop their skills, pursue their interest in working, and serve their communities.

Women with disabilities; between religious rights and everyday challenges

Although Islamic jurisprudence and religious teachings emphasize the human dignity and rights of women with disabilities, the experiences shared by some of these women show that they continue to face challenges in various aspects of life, including education, employment, access to services, and, in some cases, inheritance-related issues. Religious scholars and legal experts say that expanding support services and raising awareness among families and the society could help improve their situation and create greater opportunities for them.

Declining groundwater levels threaten agriculture and livelihoods in Andkhoy

In recent years, climate change and prolonged droughts have had a significant impact on the lives of people in Andkhoy district of Faryab province. Reduced rainfall and declining groundwater levels have caused many wells to dry up, while agricultural lands are no longer producing the yields they once did.

Local exhibition in Daikundi; an opportunity for women to market their products

A three-day exhibition of locally produced goods was held in Daikundi from July 26 to July 28, with 130 stalls, including 90 belonging to women and 40 belonging to men, from all eight districts and the provincial center participating. The exhibition was organized by the Department of Industry and Commerce with financial support from the Aga Khan Foundation. According to officials, its purpose was to showcase local products, create marketing opportunities, and support producers, particularly women.

UN calls for protection of water resources in Afghanistan

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Afghanistan has said that millions of people in the country still lack reliable access to safe drinking water.