Category: Investigative reports

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.

Migration and the experiences of Afghan women living abroad

Salam Watandar’s interviews with 44 married Afghan women living in Canada, Germany, France, England, Australia, the United States, and Russia show that while some women experience restrictions on their personal freedoms, social relationships, and educational and employment opportunities after migration, others report no change in their freedoms or opportunities and continue to receive support from their husbands and families. Thus, the experiences of married Afghan women after migration are not the same.

Behind child addiction; when friends lead children to drugs and crime

Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 41 children and adolescents under the age of 18 (aged 13–17) who are addicted to drugs show that these children were introduced to drugs and became addicted through their friends and acquaintances.

Changing attitudes toward marriage; girls strive for financial independence

“I want to continue my education, succeed, and achieve my goals. I am happy and satisfied with the decision I have made.” These are the words of Shafiqa, a 30-year-old resident of Kabul. A journalism graduate, she says she wants to achieve her academic and professional goals before getting married. Shafiqa is not alone in making this choice. Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with a number of women show that continuing their education, pursuing careers, and attaining personal independence have become their top priorities.

Low self-esteem; the bitter legacy of family comparisons for youth

Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 22 youth across six provinces of Afghanistan show that 20 of them identified harmful comparisons made by family members as the most important cause of low self-esteem. The remaining two participants attributed their low self-esteem to fear of social judgment and the influence of social media.