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.
Alina Tokhi says having girls in such jobs shows that women, like men, can do any kind of work. “I used to think this was only for men, but I realized any job men can do, women can do too,” she says.
Zarghona, 35 years old, mother of three children from Narang district in Kunar, transformed her life through a simple act: growing vegetables.
Many widows in Afghanistan who have lost their husbands for different reasons, face social pressure and even threats of losing their children to force them into marrying their late husbands’ relatives.
On Sunday night, 31 August 2025, a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, especially Kunar Province. The tremors were also felt in nearby provinces. According to reputable global seismic centers, the earthquake registered 6.0 on the Richter scale, which is relatively rare in Afghanistan’s history of natural disasters. Most districts of Kunar were affected, with the strongest shaking felt in Nurgal, Sawkai, Khas Kunar, and some other districts. This earthquake has been recorded as one of the deadliest in Afghanistan in recent years. As a result, around 2,200 people lost their lives, more than 4,000 were injured, and over 8,000 homes were destroyed.
