Eid brings hope and happiness to youth despite economic hardship
With the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, the atmosphere in cities and along roads has changed. People’s movements to visit relatives and friends increase, and the
Category: Soceity
Women keep Eid traditions alive by making local sweets
For many women in Afghanistan, Eid is not just a celebration; it is an opportunity for families to gather, strengthen their bonds, and keep alive traditions that have been rooted in the country’s culture for generations. During this time, homes are filled with the colors and atmosphere of Eid, as women enthusiastically prepare Eid sofras—Sofras that symbolize hospitality, love, and the preservation of long-standing traditions.
Some women inherit land, but not its deeds in Afghanistan
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 female doctor was killed in Kunduz
Officials of the Kunduz Security Command announced that a female doctor was killed by an unknown person with a knife in the Imam Sahib District of the province.
Defining a good woman in Afghanistan; from personality to obedience
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.”
Customary pressures deny girls education, work, and spouse choice
“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.
Easy access to books with the “Bulbul” audio app
A team of young developers has designed the “Bulbul” app, making religious, educational, artistic, and novel books available in audio format, especially for young people and children. The creators of this app told Salam Watandar that users can, by downloading the program, listen to books even while working, driving, or performing daily activities, and use it to increase their knowledge and skills.
Struggle between bread and pen; youth’s efforts to balance work and education
“A student is psychologically placed in two arenas: one is the field of work and the other is the field of education. Certainly, prioritizing between the two can be difficult. Afghan society is a poor society, and the priorities of young people are more economy-centered. Therefore, over time the field of education may become colder and emptier, and the studies of working youth may decline in quality and be damaged,” he says.
Miscarriage in Afghanistan; from chromosomal disorders to family blame
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.
‘My last vertebra was damaged’; stories of 15 women who faced physical violence
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.”
Mother-fetus blood incompatibility; infant deaths and lack of family awareness
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.”
Tafriq; women’s legal and religious right, but fraught with challenges in practice
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.”
