Category: Investigative reports

From gold medals in sports to scientific achievements; Afghan youth showcasing their talents

Although many Afghan youth face limited educational opportunities, economic difficulties, and restrictions on employment, 16 young people told Salam Watandar that, despite their failures, limited resources, and a lack of adequate support, they have been able to succeed in sports, medical technology, healthcare, scientific competitions, and entrepreneurship, and proudly raise Afghanistan’s name at the international level.

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.

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.

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.

Between regret and hope; the stories of youth in Afghanistan and missed opportunities

“I wish I hadn’t missed that opportunity.” This is a common response among the 31 youth interviewed for this report. They reflect on past choices, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled dreams. Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 16 girls and 15 boys across nine provinces show that education, employment, migration, and marriage are the main areas in which missed opportunities leave lasting regret and, in many cases, contribute to mental health problems.

Fetching water; a burden on women in rural areas

Although, according to Islamic Sharia and custom, providing safe drinking water is considered one of the responsibilities of the men in a household, the reality in many villages across Afghanistan shows that this responsibility largely falls on women. They say that because men are busy working outside the home, they play a smaller role in providing water, making it a daily responsibility for women.

Youth turn to digital books; easy access, but health and reading challenges

A number of youth interviewed by Salam Watandar say that easy access, lower costs, time savings, and the free availability of digital books (PDFs) have driven them to turn to digital reading.

The stories of mothers living with the pain of losing their children

“My son was 16 years old. We were not at home. When we returned, this terrible thing had already happened. My son had taken his own life; he had hanged himself.” These are some of Farzana’s words, a 40-year-old mother from Kapisa who, two years ago, returned home and found her son no longer breathing. Farzana says that her son had committed suicide—a death that marked the end of her son’s life but the beginning of a deep and strange pain for his mother, a pain that now slowly erodes her soul piece by piece.

Afghan youth born abroad; between homeland ties and concerns over returning

Salam Watandar interviewed 32 Afghan youth (20 girls and 12 boys) who were born in different countries around the world and have never visited Afghanistan, to examine their sense of attachment to their homeland and the conditions under which they would consider returning.

The impact of media health programs on women’s health awareness

Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 35 women across 10 provinces of Afghanistan (Kapisa, Badakhshan, Kabul, Daikundi, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Faryab, Ghor, Kunduz, and Badghis) show that media health programs increase women’s awareness of health issues and improve their health-related behaviors. According to the findings, all of the women interviewed say that the media are effective in improving their health awareness.

Salam Watandar’s survey on the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan (2022–2025)

Section 1: Theoretical and conceptual framework Abstract This study was conducted to examine the employment status of university graduates over the past four years (2022–2025).

Salam Watandar’s survey report on the employment status of university graduates

Salam Watandar has conducted a survey examining the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan between 2022 and 2025. The survey provides a clear picture of the opportunities, challenges, and expectations youth face as they enter the labor market after graduating from university.