Category: Women

Limited awareness among some families regarding “Hiba” and related ownership rights

Hiba (gift) means the transfer of property to another person without receiving anything in return. Once a gift is made and received, ownership of the property generally passes to the recipient. Religious scholars and legal experts say that although a gift may be revoked in certain exceptional circumstances, the general principle is that ownership is transferred to the recipient, and revoking a gift is considered undesirable from both religious and ethical perspectives.

“Magnolia” workshop; women in Herat strive for financial independence

Among shelves filled with herbal soaps, natural oils, and skincare products, women are busy packaging orders. This small workshop in Herat began with a training experience in Iran and has now created employment opportunities for ten women and girls.

Dehydration during pregnancy threatens the health of mothers and fetuses

Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Daikundi warn that dehydration in mothers during pregnancy reduces blood flow and oxygen transfer to the fetus and increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, slowed fetal growth, urinary infections, severe constipation, and low blood pressure.

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.

Epoxy resin art; the success story of a woman entrepreneur in Kabul

Three years ago, a young woman in Kabul launched an art workshop with an initial investment of 10,000 Afghanis, producing a variety of products made from epoxy resin. Today, the workshop has provided training and income-generating opportunities for around 200 women.

Blood infection during pregnancy; a silent threat to mothers and fetuses

Blood infection during pregnancy is a serious health condition that can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus. It occurs when microbes enter the bloodstream, causing a severe immune response. A number of women in Baghlan say they have faced serious challenges in accessing healthcare services.

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.

Some women in Daikundi forced to leave their jobs after marriage

While legal experts and religious scholars say that women have both a legal and religious right to work, a number of women in Daikundi say that family pressure, household responsibilities, and traditional attitudes are the main obstacles to continuing to work after marriage and motherhood.

Online sales growth in Badghis; an opportunity for women to earn income

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.

Limited access to healthcare centers forces women into home births

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.

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.

The story of women striving to meet part of their family’s needs

“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.