Category: WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Inserting conditions in Marriage Certificate; a legal mechanism for protecting women’s rights

Legal experts and religious scholars emphasize that women have the right to insert lawful conditions in the marriage certificate (Nikah Nama) prior to marriage, and if the husband fails to act in accordance with such conditions, the wife may demand her rights through legal channels. However, some women complain that after years of marriage, the very conditions agreed by their husbands’ side prior to the marriage certificate have not been fulfilled.

A survey on the level of depression among women in Afghanistan

For this reason, the Salam Afghanistan Media Organization (Radio Salam Watandar) conducted a field survey in 26 provinces of the country and examined the mental health status of 401 women, aiming to present a realistic and scientific picture of depression among women in Afghanistan. The findings of this survey show that nearly half of the surveyed women experience moderate depression, which can be considered a serious threat to women’s mental health in Afghanistan.

The role of mothers’ consultation in daughters’ marriages under Islamic Sharia

Although Islamic Sharia emphasizes consultation and mutual family understanding in decision-making — including marriage — in many families in Afghanistan the role of mothers in this process is overlooked, and they are excluded from decision-making.

Lack of awareness; women left without Tetanus vaccine in Jawzjan

Doctors believe that although Tetanus vaccination is vital for preventing life-threatening diseases in mothers and newborns, some women in Jawzjan province have not received the vaccine due to a lack of awareness, economic difficulties, and limited access to health services.

Internet — A tool for women’s work and education, but hard to afford

Husna, a 25-year-old from Laghman, says she uses the internet mainly for work and teaching, “Most of my internet use is related to work and teaching. Since most of my tasks are done online, my internet consumption is high, and sometimes my family complains about my usage.”

‘They told us to wait, but there is no aid’; widows’ right to access emergency assistance

While Islamic Sharia and international documents emphasize the right of widows and women without guardians to access emergency financial assistance, evidence from Kunduz shows that many of these women are, in practice, deprived of this right. In the Holy Quran (Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60), the poor and needy are identified as rightful recipients of zakat, and in the Hadiths, caring for widows is described as equivalent to performing major social deeds.

‘Modelin brand’ workshop; a place where women learn and earn

A woman in Kabul has established a tailoring and handicrafts workshop, creating opportunities for other women to learn a profession and gain employment. At a time when unemployment is a serious challenge for women, her determination and creativity have opened new pathways for others to work and earn a living.

The hidden cost of neglecting girls’ nutrition; from anemia to unhealthy motherhood

Health experts consider the ages of 11 to 14 to be the most critical stage of physical development. However, in Afghanistan, most girls at this age lack access to balanced and high-quality nutrition. Girls face not only economic hardships but also challenges caused by limited awareness, harmful traditional beliefs, and family neglect.

Beginning of the academic year; stories of girls awaiting education

Shayesta, a 38-year-old mother of four children, says she cannot afford online classes for her daughter who has been deprived of education, “As much as we could afford, we enrolled her in online courses—once in a home-based school and in a religious school —but now our economic situation is weak, and we can no longer afford even these online classes. For now, she reviews her lessons at home.”

Survey on women’s purchasing power in Afghanistan; the impact of unemployment on women’s purchasing ability

This survey, conducted with the participation of 1,045 women from 29 provinces of Afghanistan, provides a comprehensive and detailed picture of women’s purchasing power, savings capacity, sources of income, and their economic limitations. The findings indicate that women’s purchasing power—especially among unemployed women—has declined over the past three years, and the economic crisis has had profound impacts on households.

“They took my children”; depriving widowed mothers of custody

Similarly, Zarifa, 22-year-old from Daikundi, says that her children were taken by her husband’s family after his death. She says, “After my husband died, they took my children. They said the children should grow up in their father’s house, and argued that I am young and might remarry, so it’s better for the children to stay with them. They took my children, and I could do nothing because I am a single woman.

Small cages, big hopes; a woman’s quail business in Farah

A woman in Farah province has launched a small quail-farming business in an effort to reduce her economic dependence and play an active role in supporting her family’s expenses. Najiba Naji says she started raising quails with a small investment in a limited space inside her home.