Fatima, a resident of Badakhshan, told Salam Watandar: “I personally prefer things to be in my own name, but my family says that in some situations it is better to use a surname or the name of a male family member so that people talk less. People think that mentioning a woman’s name in public leads to suspicion or gossip, so that’s why they avoid it.”
Zahra, 24-years-old and resident of Kabul, says: “The same things happened almost every week. I went to work feeling discouraged, my focus was low, and I felt invisible. I was constantly judged, and my motivation to grow decreased. It eventually made me quit.”
Fatima, one of these women, grows vegetables both for her family and for the local market. She said, “I have a home garden where I grow tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, coriander, and mint. I sell them in the market and support a family of eight with this income.”
She said: “I don’t understand anything about cervical cancer. If I have pain or infection in my genital area, I feel ashamed and usually don’t tell anyone. In our province, there aren’t many female specialist doctors, and even at the health center, examinations are basic.”
Nazifa Fateh, a 21-year-old resident of Faryab, said, “After the girls’ schools were closed, I lost the chance to continue my education. I felt I should not spend my time aimlessly, so I decided to learn a profession to stay occupied and be useful to myself and my family. With the few basic tools I had at home, I began learning sewing on my own.”
Despite these rights, many women still struggle in practice. Fatima Ahmadi, a 29 years old teacher, says, “My husband decides how my income is spent. Sometimes I can give my opinion, but he always makes the final decision. He has forced me to hand over my full salary even when I needed it myself.”
Shaimagul Samadi shares a similar story. She says: “Before, I knew a little about herbs, but I didn’t know how to use them—what they are good for, what benefits they have, or how they work. Since I came here, I’ve learned how to use them properly.”
She adds: “Before coming here, my family’s financial situation was very weak, and I faced many mental health challenges. When I heard about the workshop, I joined and learned sewing in one year. By making clothes, I now have an income and can help my family. Most importantly, my mental health has improved.”
Following the political changes in Afghanistan, small businesses have emerged as a key source of hope for women seeking financial independence. Interviews with 23 women reveal that while many rely on small loans to sustain themselves, for some, these loans also bring economic and emotional stress.
Alina Tokhi says having girls in such jobs shows that women, like men, can do any kind of work. “I used to think this was only for men, but I realized any job men can do, women can do too,” she says.
Zarghona, 35 years old, mother of three children from Narang district in Kunar, transformed her life through a simple act: growing vegetables.
Many widows in Afghanistan who have lost their husbands for different reasons, face social pressure and even threats of losing their children to force them into marrying their late husbands’ relatives.
