Category: News Report

The intelligent assistant; seeing AI through a woman’s perspective

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.

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.”

Check dams; a solution to fight drought in Nangarhar

Officials at the Nangarhar Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock say that in the 22 districts of province, several check dams have been constructed to feed water sources and deliver water to agricultural lands, with work ongoing on additional dams. According to the officials, these check dams are built to improve water management, prevent soil erosion, and reduce damages caused by floods—measures that ultimately help protect farmland from destruction.

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.

Spread of “Mastitis” disease worries livestock farmers in Ghazni

Ghazni is one of the provinces where most residents are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, and their livelihoods largely depend on these activities. The spread of animal diseases and their transmission among livestock in this province sometimes create serious challenges for farmers—challenges that, if not addressed in time, can lead to significant and irreversible economic losses.

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.

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.”

Women achieving self-reliance through mushroom farming

An initiative by a woman in Kabul to establish a mushroom farm has not only led to her own financial independence but has also created employment and income opportunities for dozens of other women. Fazela Sorosh began mushroom farming in Kabul two years ago with a small investment, driven purely by personal interest. She says this initiative has now become a stable source of income for herself and many other women.

Off-season farming in Laghman; a source of income and market stability

Laghman, one of the provinces that has achieved self-sufficiency in vegetable production, not only meets domestic demand but also exports its products to other provinces, including Kabul. Although vegetable production in the country decreases during winter, many farmers in this province use plastic-covered cultivation to bring vegetables to the market ahead of the season, which significantly helps stabilize prices.