As the use of social media continues to increase and in-person employment opportunities for women decline, online sales have become an important source of income for many women and girls in Badghis Province. They say that despite ongoing economic hardship, they make efforts to cover part of their living expenses through online businesses.
At a time when farmers are increasingly concerned about declining agricultural productivity caused by climate change, changes in rainfall, soil erosion, and declining soil fertility, the opening of a factory producing organic and chemical fertilizers, equipped with a modern agricultural laboratory, has emerged as a promising initiative to support agricultural production in Balkh Province.
A number of women in Samangan say that economic hardship, the long distance to healthcare centers, inadequate facilities, and limited access to healthcare services have left many women with no option but to give birth at home.
“The income from selling vegetables has helped cover some of our household expenses. Some organizations have also provided us with agricultural training, seeds, and fertilizer. Our biggest problems are water shortages, the lack of appropriate markets for our produce, and the high cost of seeds and fertilizer,” she says.
Although Islamic Sharia permits polygamy and second marriage under specific conditions, a number of women in Kunduz say they have repeatedly faced pressure from their husbands’ families to persuade their husbands to take a second wife.
Baghlan, one of Afghanistan’s leading agricultural provinces, is known for its fertile farmland and the heavy reliance of much of its population on agriculture and livestock farming. In recent years, however, climate change, irregular seasonal rainfall, and flash floods have caused severe and often irreparable losses for thousands of farmers across the province.
A number of women in Daikundi Province say they face restrictions from their husbands and in-laws (their husband’s family) when trying to visit their families and relatives after marriage.
The importance of improved seeds and row planting for farmers in Uruzgan is not limited to higher production; it also helps them cope with climate change. In recent years, drought, declining rainfall, and water shortages have directly affected wheat yields, leaving many farmers facing economic hardship.
Ghor Province has a long tradition of handicrafts, particularly khamak embroidery, and is considered one of Afghanistan’s important centers for this traditional art. Deeply rooted in local culture and customs, khamak embroidery not only reflects the province’s cultural heritage but also serves as an important source of income, helping many women achieve economic self-sufficiency.
A number of farmers in Nangarhar have been cultivating strawberries for several years. They say they have chosen to grow strawberries because the crop produces higher yields and generates greater profits than many other crops.
Although in Islamic jurisprudence—particularly within the Hanafi jurisprudence —any form of oppression, insult, beating, or deprivation of a woman’s legitimate rights is prohibited, women in Afghanistan are still occasionally exposed to domestic violence.
Recent floods and heavy rainfall in Badghis Province have caused extensive damage to farmland, orchards, and people’s property. A number of farmers say these events have not only destroyed the results of a year’s hard work but have also left the livelihoods and primary sources of income of many families in crisis.
