Category: News Report

Fasting during pregnancy and breastfeeding; a threat to mother and child health

Yasamin, 39 years old and in her eighth month of pregnancy, shares her experience of fasting without consulting a doctor. She says, “I am in the eighth month of my pregnancy and I am fasting. I haven’t visited a doctor so far, but I continue to fast regularly. During the day, I feel extremely hungry and thirsty—my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. Since I started fasting, I have noticed that the movements of my baby in the womb have decreased and are not as before.”

Efforts for self-sufficiency in chicken meat production in Balkh

Shafiqullah, a chicken seller in Mazar-i-Sharif, said, “The newly established farms, along with those built in the past, have a great impact on chicken meat prices. If we relied on Pakistan, one kilogram would cost over 300 Afghanis; now, the price in the city is 220 Afghanis.”

Tagab pomegranate growers hope for a fruitful season after snowfall

“Snow and rain help get rid of pests and microbes on the trees for up to five years. They also prevent diseases like blight, which otherwise require spraying. In the past, when snowfall was enough, these problems didn’t happen. God willing, this year’s snow will have the same effect. Pomegranate trees also tend to give better yields after snowfall.” he explained.

Child marriage in Afghanistan

Aziza, a 17-year-old resident of Maimana city, the center of Faryab province, was forced to marry at the age of 14 because her younger brother suffered a birth-related neck injury and the family was unable to afford his treatment. Aziza’s marriage was seen as the only option to improve the family’s situation.

Greenhousing in Herat; struggling with loans and storms

“This year in Shaidaei, the winds were very strong, and a storm destroyed our greenhouses. I didn’t have the money to rebuild, so I had to sell them. I ran a greenhouse for six years, and now I’m unemployed. I sell wood to pay for household expenses; I can’t build a new greenhouse,” he says.

Childbirth in pain and humiliation

She said, “They physically assault women who scream even a little. They don’t pay attention. They don’t even let the patient’s pain subside. I was afraid of what kind of hospital this is.”

‘No child with disabilities will be deprived of education’ – TVET-A

“We are working to ensure that no child with disabilities in Afghanistan is deprived of education. We strongly encourage families to register their children at our special education centers,” he added.

Unable to breastfeed; a lasting emotional wound for mothers

She said, “My daughter is three months old. I am struggling to raise her on formula and fresh milk. I have become mentally disturbed. I feel angry most of the time, and it has become very difficult for me to care for my daughter. I keep telling myself that I will not have another child. Raising a baby without breast milk is very hard—especially when she cries.”

‘Aash e Rana’ Workshop; a way for education-deprived girls to earn income in Herat

“My morale at home had declined, but after I joined the workshop, I became busy with work and met many other girls. That greatly improved my spirits. My financial situation has also improved, and now I earn my own income,” she said.

Jujube forests in Laghman; a green step against climate change

Mohammad Rabbani, one of the workers involved in the project, says, “Establishing these forests will reduce the intensity of floods, as floodwaters will be controlled before reaching the village. It will also make the area greener and reduce air pollution. If these saplings bear fruit, beekeeping programs will also be strengthened.”

Trained women in Faryab face market challenges

“There are almost no sales, and people’s budgets are very tight. Several members of my family are unemployed. I opened this shop to earn a living for my family and serve people, but without enough customers and market, it’s very hard,” she says.

Polygamy without justice; economic hardship faced by women and children

“He neither covers our expenses nor pays alimony. I live alone with my four children and have to borrow money just to buy food. When I turn to my brothers and ask what I should do, they tell me, ‘You are no longer our responsibility.’ But what can I do? I am a woman on my own,” she says.