Although women’s right to own land is recognized under law and Islamic Sharia in Afghanistan, some women engaged in farming lands in Faryab say they have been denied this right. They explain that, despite inheriting agricultural land and putting in years of hard work in plowing, sowing, irrigating, and harvesting—the land deeds have still not been registered in their names due to incorrect social customs.
A number of doctors in Kunduz say that excessive consumption of sweets among women is causing various illnesses. These doctors emphasize that overconsumption of sugary foods disrupts hormonal balance in women and may increase male hormone levels.
I am Sadaf Yarmal, a journalism graduate, and I currently work as a reporter at a media outlet. My familiarity with artificial intelligence developed gradually through social media. Today, this technology has become an inseparable part of both my personal and professional life. At times, professional needs—and sometimes personal ones—make AI guidance a necessity in human life. My experience with this technology is also rooted in the current reality of human life, especially in media work, where using AI has become an immediate necessity.
The results of Salam Watandar interview with 42 participants (21 men and 21 women) from 16 provinces of Afghanistan show that most respondents define whether a woman is good or bad not on the basis of gender, but rather on human personality traits. At the same time, 14 participants consider respect for and obedience to one’s husband to be the primary criteria for a “good woman.”
“My mother always told me to marry the man she chose. She said I had to accept, otherwise people would gossip about us. When the suitor came, my parents met him themselves. My father said, ‘What does the girl need to do? We have seen him and his family. It would be shameful—what will people say?’ They never realized he was addicted to drugs. I am not satisfied, and my father sacrificed me for the sake of customs and people’s opinions because I could not meet the boy before the engagement.” she says.
A number of doctors in Kabul told Salam Watandar that chromosomal disorders are among the leading causes of miscarriage — an issue that doctors describe as a silent risk for pregnant women.
Asma, a 33-year-old resident of Kabul, says that although she covers most of the household expenses, she still faces physical violence—violence that has caused both psychological and physical harm. She says, “I cover about 90% of the household expenses and all the needs of my daughters. Yet I have been repeatedly beaten by my husband—slapped, punched, and kicked. The violence was so severe that my last vertebra was damaged, and now I cannot sit or stand properly. My husband beats me and asks why I do not put money in his pocket. This is extremely humiliating and painful because, even with financial independence, I still face violence.”
On International Women’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlighted that women and girls in Afghanistan are entitled to equal access to rights, justice, and opportunities, and called for these rights to be safeguarded.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said on the occasion of International Women’s Day that women hold only 64% of the legal rights enjoyed by men.
Saniya, one of these women, said sadly,
“My first child looked healthy, but after a while, he died. Later, I found out that the reason was the incompatibility between my blood and my child’s blood. In later pregnancies, I had to stop breastfeeding and feed the baby with formula so that the baby’s condition would improve.”
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced that it supports education and job opportunities for women in Afghanistan.
Ziba Zuhal, a legal expert, says in this regard, “According to the Civil Code of Afghanistan, women can claim Tafriq (judicial separation) in the following cases: non-payment of alimony, causing harm, the husband’s infertility, and absence for more than three years. Under the Civil Code of Afghanistan and Islamic Sharia, the authority to pronounce divorce belongs to the man.”
