Tag Archive for: Poverty in Afghanistan

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UNICEF and Partners Address Water Crisis in Afghanistan

Water Crisis in AfghanistanAccess to safe water is vital for ensuring good hygiene practices and protection from disease. However, in Afghanistan, water is far from accessible. Afghanistan’s political climate has rendered access to vital resources, such as water, limited across many regions. After years of economic challenge, poor management and political instability, water crisis remains an urgent issue in Afghanistan.

This situation has only worsened with the Taliban’s power resurgence in 2021. However, as of 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF). This collaboration has reduced the water crisis in Afghanistan by supplying sustainable water systems.

Water Crisis in Afghanistan

Clean water is vital; it ensures children are less vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea, which exacerbate malnutrition. However, this resource is difficult to find in remote areas of Afghanistan with very little rainfall. Due to agricultural demands, an over-extraction of groundwater has significantly reduced the water supply from underground aquifers.

Furthermore, changing climatic conditions have depleted available water sources. Afghanistan has held record-breaking droughts for more than two decades. Consequently, only about 42% of Afghans can access safe drinking water.

UNICEF’s Work to Supply Sustainable Water Sources

UNICEF has been working to support Afghanistan for more than 70 years, with increased efforts directed toward water supply in the past few years. It is Afghanistan’s lead provider of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. By installing solar-powered pumps, UNICEF has ensured that the power to access clean water is returned to local communities.

One hundred percent of the facilities are small-scale and solar-powered, meaning the communities can run them. UNICEF has collaborated with 30,000 community-elected councils, ensuring management and decisions regarding the resource remain at the local level.

Partnership With the AHTF

UNICEF has partnered with the AHTF to complete the installation of “Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Water Supply Services in Remote Rural Communities.” This has given more than 30,000 people in 18 remote communities with sustainable water supply systems. The community-elected councils led the construction of these systems.

Community mobilizers supported by UNICEF worked to help the locals on essential parts of the water supply projects. Additionally, local mechanics have been equipped and trained to maintain these systems.

Real Life Application – Fauzia

Each day, 10-year-old Fauzia would walk half an hour to the water tap in the Charkh district, a remote part of the Logar province. She would push a wheelbarrow full of jerry cans to fetch water for her family and wait in a queue for more than an hour. The journey back would mean pushing a heavy wheelbarrow full of water. Only after this does she reach for her school backpack.

As a result of UNICEF’s collaboration with the AHTF, Fauzia doesn’t need to miss any more school time. Now, her family has a new water tap. Safe water is available right in their home from a piped system installed in their village. Fauzia states, “The engineers installed the tap in our house, so now we have water all the time. We can cook whenever we want and I am happy.”

In the coming year, the AFTH, in partnership with UNICEF, will set up water supply systems in 32 remote communities in Faryab, Helmand and Farah provinces. This will support more than 64,000 people, resulting in fewer and fewer people having to make the journey, like Fauzia.

– Amelia Short

Amelia is based in Bradford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Charities Fighting Child Mortality in Afghanistan

Child Mortality in AfghanistanAfghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, with 43 deaths per 1,000 live births. The child mortality rate in Afghanistan is even higher, with 97 out of every 1,000 children dying before they reach the age of 5. Child mortality has numerous causes, including malnutrition, sepsis, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), malaria, HIV/AIDS, preterm birth complications and diarrhea. External factors, such as the political climate, can also play a significant role.

Afghanistan’s limited medical facilities exacerbate the issue. The country’s fragile health care system leaves mothers and young children particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases. With underdeveloped immune systems, children are especially susceptible to illnesses that claim the lives of thousands in Afghanistan each year. However, there are several charities fighting infant mortality in Afghanistan.

HealthProm

HealthProm, established in 1984, is a U.K.-based nonprofit organization focused on reducing child and maternal mortality. It started working in Afghanistan in 2008 and has significantly lowered the country’s high child mortality rate. The organization has achieved this by providing emergency transport for women in labor to health centers. It also encouraged the local communities to establish Women’s Safe Motherhoods Groups and Men’s Support Groups to create awareness of the risks associated with pregnancy and child birth.

Afghan Mother and Child Rescue

Afghan Mother and Child Rescue (AMCR) is another nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting women and children in Afghanistan. The organization focuses on constructing and maintaining health clinics and medical facilities to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The charity spends approximately $37,000 toward building and maintaining these essential facilities, ensuring greater access to health care for vulnerable populations.

UNICEF

Working alongside Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) facilitates the care of children, especially those in vulnerable regions. UNICEF supports Afghanistan’s children through initiatives focusing on health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, all aimed at reducing child mortality. Nearly 1.2 million children younger than 12 months receive life-saving vaccines each year. These immunizations protect against nine diseases, significantly improving their chances of leading healthy lives.

Looking To the Future

Charities like HealthProm, AMCR and UNICEF are working to combat child mortality in regions with the highest rates. As child deaths in Afghanistan continue to decline, achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending preventable deaths among children younger than 5 by 2030 becomes increasingly attainable, thanks to the growing number of children surviving and thriving.

The efforts of these charities, alongside other projects, are making a difference in the child mortality rate in Afghanistan by improving access to medical care and providing appropriate life-saving treatments and vaccinations. Since 2020, the infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births has decreased by 5.4 deaths.

– Megan Hall

Megan is based in Suffolk and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Radio Begum: A Lifeline for Afghan girls 

Radio BegumSilence is the most powerful instrument of oppression. After regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have silenced Afghan women and girls in almost every aspect of life: enforcing a systematic attack on women’s rights. This has made Afghanistan virtually unlivable for women and girls, with the situation representing the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis. Within this critical context, Afghan journalist Hamida Aman founded Radio Begum, which provides a lifeline of hope for Afghan women and girls.

The “Gender Apartheid” in Afghanistan

The Taliban are “methodically and intentionally‘” enforcing a system of gender-based segregation – which Afghan activists, like Dr Sima Samar, describe as a “gender apartheid.”

Dr Samar, who witnessed the collapse of the Taliban’s previous regime in 2001, never imagined seeing such extreme violations of women’s rights reoccur just two decades later. Yet, over the last three years, the Taliban have enacted numerous laws banning girls from going to secondary school, accessing employment, the justice system and even public spaces. Most recently, the oppression of women has reached a new extreme, with a ban prohibiting “women’s voices from being heard in public.”

A female teacher in Afghanistan said:  “In my province, we had girls that could be singers, professors, athletes and politicians. Now we have nothing left. All of those talents are in jail, left the country or now live in hiding. Families rush to marry their daughters because they are afraid the Taliban may take them for marriage. Most girls are forced to marry. This is a nightmare I never imagined to happen.”

The Power of Radio to Educate

Radio is a powerful tool in resisting the Taliban’s oppression of women and girls. It provides one of the main sources of information for Afghans, with 72% of the population having access to a radio, as of 2015. This widespread accessibility allows the radio to serve as an important educational platform for Afghan girls.

Recognizing this, Radio Begum emerged in 2021 to support, empower and educate Afghan women and girls. Its daily radio broadcasts currently provide remote schooling and educational support to 5.9 million Afghan girls.

However, Radio Begum is just one part of the wider mission led by its founder, Hamida Aman. Her NGO, The Begum Organization for Women (BOW), brings together a network of social activists, health professionals and journalists who produce broadcasts from Paris to more than 19 provinces in Afghanistan. With support from UNESCO, BOW even extends its support beyond education, producing content dedicated to women’s mental health, gender-specific healthcare and domestic violence, according to UNESCO.

Additionally, with funding from the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC),  BOW has further expanded its reach by integrating radio, satellite TV and internet broadcasting to ensure more girls across Afghanistan can access education for free. Whilst Radio Begum cannot put a stop to the oppression of women and girls, Hamida Aman emphasizes that “by keeping our radio on, by keeping our voices loud, we are resisting,” UNESCO reports.

The Need for International Support

Radio Begum offers a critical lifeline for Afghan women and girls. Despite significant obstacles, BOW’s work exemplifies Afghan women’s resilience and resistance to the Taliban, as they continue to develop innovative ways to support and empower Afghan girls. However, BOW must secure further international funding to ensure Radio Begum continues to provide Afghan women and girls with access to education, employment and leadership opportunities.

Yet, despite the severity of the situation, the international community has failed to take sufficient action. Indeed, Amnesty International and activists, like Sima Samar, continue to call for the establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes under international law.

– Georgia Wells

Georgia is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UNDP Support Women in Afghanistan Working in Small Businesses 

Women in AfghanistanThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports international development sustainably and structurally, aiming to eradicate poverty and provide countries with knowledge and resources to foster development. The UNDP has focused its efforts on supporting women in Afghanistan through the current economic climate. The organization is supplying women with vocational skills and financial knowledge to boost female employment. Due to the Taliban Administration, the UNDP operates within areas where exceptions to the constraints on women apply or where locally informed solutions exist.

The Situation in Afghanistan

Since August 2021 the Afghan economy has been in decline. In 2022, the number of households not having income to meet basic necessities rose from 16% to 36%. Policies under the Taliban Administration have had an especially limiting impact on women in Afghanistan, with restrictions imposed on education and employment.

In response to the situation, the UNDP adapted its programs to an integrated local development effort – Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI). To prevent further economic breakdown, this program applies solutions at a community-based level. Grants are provided to small businesses, with a focus on supporting female-run organizations. Maintaining these local economies supports keeping structure and purpose within Afghan communities. The funds are supplied from U.N. contributions, in combination with the “Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan.” This fund coordinates support from UNDP agencies and non-government organizations.

Supporting Women in Afghanistan

In their support of female-owned businesses, UNDP aims to reboot the Afghan economy by supporting job creation and basic social services. Applying a “women for women” approach, it supplies the financial and technical support to women required to create employment. The UNDP supported 8,728 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through in-kind and cash support, 49.2% of these were female-led, according to its website.

An area whereby the ABADEI programme has successfully implemented its goal is expanding community kitchens. Partnered with Care Afghanistan, these kitchens feed families and provide a source of income for those who work there.

Tamana Akbari

As a single mother, before these kitchens, Tamana Akbari had no source of income. In joining she has developed new relationships aiding in growing her confidence and social skills. The benefits are not just social, Tamana now has also fostered new culinary skills and is earning a salary of her own. She now acts as the sole breadwinner for her family.

Across five provinces there are a total of 47 community kitchens, these kitchens have provided 153,000 hot meals, feeding over 86,870 people. Organizations like these, foster social cohesion whilst also providing empowerment for women like Tamana, who prepare the meals. Fifteen female-run kitchens have supplied food for thousands. In Herat, alongside three men, 147 women distributed 2,200 free meals a day.

Local communities have embraced this initiative, and supported by UNDP’s ABADEI program, women in Afghanistan are being inspired to start similar projects of their own.

– Amelia Short

Amelia is based in Bradford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

Turquoise Mountain: Reviving Heritage and Empowering Communities

Turquoise MountainIn regions like Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Middle East, where conflict has ravaged communities, cultural heritage often faces destruction. The loss of historic sites and traditional crafts not only threatens the identity of these communities but also endangers their economic survival. Turquoise Mountain, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), works to counter this. The organization works to revive traditional crafts, restore architectural heritage and provide sustainable livelihoods.

The Origins of Turquoise Mountain

Rory Stewart, a former British politician and diplomat, founded Turquoise Mountain in 2006. His experience in international development, particularly in war-torn regions, shaped the NGO’s mission to protect cultural heritage and create economic opportunities for local artisans. Turquoise Mountain aimed to preserve history while offering a way out of poverty. Stewart frequently references his involvement with the NGO on the podcast “The Rest Is Politics,” where he discusses its ongoing impact in fragile regions.

Reviving Traditional Crafts

A key part of Turquoise Mountain’s mission involves reviving traditional crafts. The organization has trained thousands of artisans in woodworking, ceramics, calligraphy and jewelry-making in Afghanistan, once central to the region’s identity. Many of these artisans come from extreme poverty or displacement and the skills they develop through Turquoise Mountain allow them to support their families while keeping traditions alive. Through access to international markets, Turquoise Mountain creates sustainable job opportunities, helping communities thrive.

Restoring Architectural Heritage

Another major focus of Turquoise Mountain involves restoring historic buildings damaged or neglected due to conflict. The organization has restored more than 150 historic buildings in cities like Kabul, where war destroyed much of the architectural landscape. These buildings, symbols of the region’s rich history, now serve as hubs of community activity. The restoration projects provide jobs for local workers and create spaces for education, health care and cultural exchange.

One of Turquoise Mountain’s most notable achievements is the revival of Murad Khani, a historic district in Kabul. Once a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, Murad Khani had deteriorated after years of war. Under Stewart’s leadership, Turquoise Mountain restored the district’s traditional mud-brick buildings and reestablished it as a thriving artisan community. Today, Murad Khani exemplifies how restoring cultural heritage can drive economic revitalization in conflict zones.

Rory Stewart’s Vision and Influence

Stewart’s leadership has shaped Turquoise Mountain’s approach. His experience as a diplomat and exposure to some of the world’s most dangerous regions gave him insight into how culture can aid in rebuilding societies. Stewart believes cultural preservation can drive economic growth and Turquoise Mountain’s success proves that.

Stewart often shares stories of the organization’s work and challenges on “The Rest Is Politics.” His public profile has brought attention to the importance of cultural preservation in development work, positioning him as a key figure in the global effort to protect cultural heritage.

The Connection to Poverty Alleviation

Cultural preservation may not seem like an obvious way to alleviate poverty, but Turquoise Mountain’s work proves otherwise. By training artisans, restoring historic sites and connecting communities to global markets, the organization has created sustainable economic opportunities where they are most needed.

Turquoise Mountain’s impact is clear in Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Middle East: it creates jobs, supports families and revitalizes communities. As these regions recover from conflict, Turquoise Mountain’s projects lay the foundation for long-term stability by ensuring cultural identity and economic resilience remain intact.

– Harriet Conway

Harriet is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Gardening in Conflict: Sowing seeds of hope in war zones

Gardening in ConflictGardening in conflict offers a vital antidote; the planting of seeds is analogous to the transformation of lives uprooted by destruction. Gardens offer both symbolic relief and tangible rewards for citizens as they grapple with the reality of environmental devastation and displacement. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports found that gardening promotes reminiscence and a sense of self, endowing communities and individuals with purpose.

Gardening in Conflict

Communities across the globe exhibit gardening in conflict as they cultivate alternative land and futures in the aftermath of war. War correspondent Lalage Snow writes of the desensitization associated with conflict, noting the wantonness of destruction in her book War Gardens: A Journey Through Conflict in Search of Calm.

Yet such desensitization is being challenged by community projects in areas once defined by war. From Burkina Faso to Afghanistan, gardeners display a belief in tomorrow by planting seeds that will outlast human conflict. Three projects particularly exemplify this sentiment and demonstrate that gardens can provide not only a means of survival but also sanctuary against a backdrop of unrest.

The RECOSA Project in Burkina Faso

Around 1.9 million people are now seeking refuge in disparate parts of Burkina Faso as armed groups have claimed entire regions of the country. The closure of 6,000 schools and rising food insecurity come alongside a sense of disconnection from personal land and heritage.

Initiated by the Red Cross and Handicap International, the RECOSA garden project is addressing such issues by creating shared spaces for growing crops and flowers. In Sebba, social cohesion is growing through communal gardens. Cross-border populations are particularly vulnerable to social dislocation, inhabiting a place characterized by the transitory movement of people. Seventy-five Sebba households learned to create shared gardens which has been transformative for those experiencing food insecurity and isolated from their communities.

Chihilsitoon Garden in Kabul

The Chihilsitoon Garden, like much of Afghanistan, suffered the civil war of the 1990s. It lay in ruins, a remnant of looting and destruction, for 25 years. However, in 2015, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture restored the 12.5-hectare Chihilsitoon garden to its former glory. By planting 5,000 new trees and populating the park with native flowers from nearby hills, a space became a sanctuary for the citizens of Kabul.

This drastic landscaping has created multifaceted opportunities for those still recovering from the turmoil of war and occupation. Waterways and paths, long lost under the rubble of conflict, have been recovered to form trails that connect various spatial experiences. Picnic and an amphitheater are linked through paths lined with flowers now tended by a team of Afghan farmers.

The rehabilitated garden provides citizens a sanctuary to socialize and form new associations with a place once tainted by war. The preservation of green spaces is restoring Afghan culture and social history; the planting of native flowers supplants former devastation.

Since its restoration, the gardens have annually attracted more than 400,000 visitors. The transformation of a former warzone into a green sanctuary has provided newfound hope for Afghanis.

Gardening in the War Zone of Kharkiv

Alla Olkhovska lives 20 miles south of the Russian-Ukraine border in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Confronted with daily air raid sirens, a reminder of the battlefield surrounding her, she seeks solace in the flowers and trees in her garden. Lacking the means to escape the country after Russia’s invasion, she has sought refuge in clematis and wild flowers. Her remarkable work has garnered international attention, allowing her to make a documentary, Gardening in a War Zone.

The documentary shows her horticultural skills and the therapy she finds in tending to her plants. At one point she admires the seedlings in her hand and the ability to hold multiple lives and future lives in one hand. This sentiment offers relief against a backdrop of conflict which threatens to destroy a generation’s future.

Alla’s work has also spawned a book, Clematis, which covers how best to cultivate the flower. In a message to the reader Alla says that writing the book during the war was particularly taxing and, faced with ‘constant missile attacks’ and a volatile psychological state, writing conditions were far from ideal. Yet a passion for gardening drowned out the wail of sirens in the distance. It has provided her with a sense of purpose, helping it grow into hope for her nation.

Whilst the reality of war can not be ignored, she refuses to accept defeat when confronted with the life found in plants every day. Her story is a testament to the power of gardens in reminding us that new life will prevail despite imminent threats to it.

Gardening in Conflict: Final Thoughts

The cultivation of seeds produces more than just plants; each seedling spawns newfound hope and autonomy. Gardening in conflict offers social cohesion. Yet it also speaks of human fortitude, and a remarkable ability to see potential in spaces once threatened by war.

– Lucy Tappin

Lucy is based in the UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Afghanistan: Women’s Rights at Risk

Fragility and Rule of Law in AfghanistanThe Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, returned to power in 2021 after a 20-year insurgency. Following its ousting by a United States (U.S.)-led invasion in 2001, the group regrouped across the border in Pakistan. Within a decade they began reclaiming territory in Afghanistan. Since its return to power, the Taliban has severely threatened Afghan civil rights and liberties. The group has revived practices similar to its oppressive rule in the late 1990s. The United Nations (U.N.) mission in Afghanistan has reported numerous human rights violations. Journalists face intimidation, press freedoms have been sharply curtailed and several news organizations, including The Daily Afghanistan, have shut down. Additionally, the Taliban has reinstated the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, known for enforcing bans on activities deemed un-Islamic during its previous rule.

The Current State of Women’s Rights

Women’s rights in the region have been eradicated. According to Amnesty International, Afghanistan ranks last for women’s rights globally, positioned at 177 out of 177 countries on the Women’s Peace and Security Index for 2023/2024. It is the only country that restricts girls’ access to education beyond the sixth grade and prohibits women from working for nongovernmental organizations.

The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has expanded its authority to control personal behavior and enforce punishments rigorously. This expansion is based on a 114-page document with 35 articles dictating nearly every aspect of life in Afghanistan. “We assure you that this Islamic law will greatly aid in promoting virtue and eliminating vice,” said ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq. The ministry’s enforcers have the authority to detain and fine law violators.

Article 13, focused on avoiding temptation, mandates that women must conceal their figures, cover their faces and refrain from making eye contact with men who are not family members. Article 15 prohibits women from traveling without a male guardian or interacting with unrelated men. Acting Minister Mohammad Khalid Hanafi emphasized that there would be “no compromise in the enforcement of Islamic laws.”

Fragility and Rule of Law in Afghanistan

The collapse of the previous government has led to a significant breakdown in legal protections for women: ​​

  • Replacement of Existing Laws. The Taliban has replaced the existing legal framework with its strict interpretation of Sharia law, abolishing many rights and protections that women previously enjoyed under the Afghan constitution and civil code.
  • Arbitrary Implementation. The new legal system often applies rules arbitrarily, lacking consistent application and due process. This unpredictability further undermines the rule of law and leaves women vulnerable to rights violations.
  • Limited Access to Justice. Under the new regime, women face severe limitations. Many formal legal institutions have ceased to function or now exclude women entirely. This effectively denies them any recourse to legal protection or dispute resolution.

International Responses

The U.N. has been at the forefront of condemning the Taliban’s actions and advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan:

  • The U.N. Security Council Resolution 2681 (2023) called for the immediate removal of all restrictions violating the rights of Afghan women and girls. 
  • The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has characterized the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid.” The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has called on the Taliban to release women human rights defenders and respect all human rights of women and girls.
  • Many countries have used diplomatic channels to express their concerns. The United Kindom (U.K.) The ambassador to the U.N. denounced the Taliban’s actions as “medieval misogyny above humanitarian need.” Multiple U.N. member states, including Albania, Ecuador, Malta and Spain, have characterized the situation as gender apartheid in U.N. Security Council sessions.

Legal and Policy Initiatives

Several legal and policy initiatives are being pursued to address the fragility of the rule of law in Afghanistan. 

  • Codifying Gender Apartheid: Efforts are underway to codify gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, potentially involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) in addressing systematic discrimination against women in Afghanistan. U.N. experts have called for investigations into the Taliban, holding them accountable for human rights violations based on gender, which amount to gender persecution.
  • Targeted Sanctions: Some nations are exploring the implementation of targeted sanctions against specific Taliban leaders responsible for rights violations. This approach aims to increase pressure on decision-makers within the Taliban regime. 
  • Humanitarian Aid Principles: Calls are intensifying for principled engagement in humanitarian aid. Furthermore, demands are being made for the Taliban to immediately lift the ban on Afghan women working for the U.N. and NGOs. There is also a push for supporting the full and safe participation of women in humanitarian decision-making and delivery, alongside increased support for humanitarian organizations, particularly those led by Afghan women.
  • Accountability Mechanisms: There are growing calls for accountability, a key feature in truly upholding the rule of law. Advocates demand that perpetrators of international human rights and humanitarian law violations face accountability. They emphasize the need to address gender persecution and other abuses targeting diverse women and girls.

Looking Ahead

The fragility of the rule of law in Afghanistan underscores the challenges of maintaining legal protections in unstable political environments. This situation highlights the need for robust international mechanisms to safeguard human rights and uphold the rule of law in fragile states.

– Hannah Ravariere-Moakes

Hannah is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ray of Hope for Visually Impaired Women in Afghanistan

Women in AfghanistanAfghanistan, a country in Central Asia, has been affected by conflict for at least five decades. Years of war have not only destroyed the country’s infrastructure but have also had a profound impact on the physical and mental health of its inhabitants, as well as deteriorated the human rights situation, especially for women in Afghanistan.

Disabilities in Afghanistan

The prevalence of disabilities in Afghanistan has seen a significant increase, primarily attributed to the ongoing conflict, widespread destruction and the lack of accessible medical facilities. The 2019 Model Disability Survey revealed that around 80% of the population aged 18 and above experiences some form of disability, with women disproportionately affected, experiencing a 14.9% higher impact compared to men. Afghanistan has one of the highest numbers of people with any form of disability per capita in the world. This situation is exacerbated by widespread poverty, limited access to education and health care, minimal job opportunities and cultural stigmatization.

Visual Impairment

A report published by The Fred Hollows Foundation has estimated that 1.5 million individuals in Afghanistan are living with some form of visual impairment, with 600,000 of them experiencing complete blindness. A report published in The Kabul Times has indicated that many of these individuals are women. This data underscores the significant impact of visual impairment, particularly among women, in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, women face substantial discrimination. They are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to education, minimal job opportunities and economic freedom. These challenges are exacerbated when women also have a disability, as they face even greater levels of marginalization and discrimination in the form of physical and emotional abuse and social isolation.

Ray of Hope

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with the Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN), has launched a project in two provinces in eastern Afghanistan. The project focuses on teaching braille, basic math and essential life skills such as cooking and using a cane. Additionally, the project provides psychosocial counseling to empower women to address daily societal challenges and confront violence. In 2022, the project benefited 90 women, with another 200 women currently enrolled, offering them hope for the future. UNHCR and WADAN plan to expand the program further.

The Rayhab School for Children with Disabilities is another initiative supporting disabled Afghans. The school offers primary education, food and transportation for blind, deaf and speech-impaired boys and girls from impoverished families in Kabul. The school welcomes more than 400 children daily, with 40% of them being girls.

The current efforts to address the situation in Afghanistan are commendable, yet they are insufficient compared to the enormity of the issue. Despite this, they serve as a beacon of hope for millions impacted. 

– Maria Waleed

Maria is based in Yokohama, Japan and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UN Initiative Curbs Afghanistan’s Opium Poppies

Afghanistan's Opium PoppiesFor decades, Afghanistan has been the world’s leading opium producer, supplying at least 70% of the global output. This vast industry, involving farmers, traffickers, warlords and authorities, has significantly funded the country’s conflicts with the United States (U.S.), particularly in southern Afghanistan, where farmers depend on cultivating Afghanistan’s opium poppies to sustain their livelihoods in an arid desert landscape where poppies thrive.

The Impact of the Taliban’s Opium Ban

Life changed dramatically in 2022 when the Taliban, after seizing power, banned opium farming nationwide on religious grounds. Since the ban, farmers in the former opium fields have struggled to sustain their livelihoods with alternatives like wheat and cotton, whose prices have plummeted due to market saturation. The options for growing other crops are extremely limited in this area because of the harsh climatic conditions that challenge agriculture.

Economic Consequences of the Opium Ban

The ban on opium farming has deeply impacted Afghanistan, creating a cycle of economic instability and underdevelopment showcasing its reliance on the Afghanistan economy.  A sharp decline in annual revenue occurred after the ban, from $1.3 billion in 2022 to just $110 million in 2023. Projections suggest a continued economic downturn, with an estimated 6.4% reduction in GDP in the first year and approximately 8% by 2026, assuming a sustained 70% reduction in opium production. Replacing the opium poppy industry is no small feat in Afghanistan and requires substantial investment in alternative livelihoods and drought-resistant agriculture.

UNDP’s Role in Transitioning Afghanistan’s Agriculture

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its supporters aim to guide Afghanistan toward an economically viable transition from opium production to alternative crops or industries that foster growth and create sustainable livelihoods. This objective requires supportive policies and strong foreign aid to ensure a sustainable transition.

Initiatives and Achievements of CBARD-ALL

The Community-Based Agriculture and Rural Development – Access to Licit Livelihoods (CBARD-ALL) initiative is central to these ongoing efforts, which aim to replace opium poppies with high-value crops in key production districts. CBARD-ALL aims to enhance livelihoods and incomes throughout the agricultural industry in Afghanistan by supporting farmers who are reliant on opium production. These goals are achieved through a comprehensive approach that includes providing essential farming supplies and knowledge, advisory support, building greater capacity within these farms through diverse training programs and establishing agriculture infrastructure to handle the transition.

The United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is a major supporter of this initiative, providing substantial resources. The project has achieved notable accomplishments, including surpassing the target for repurposing greenhouses previously used for opium poppy cultivation, developing tools to enhance crop productivity and constructing numerous small-scale irrigation channels. Scheduled to conclude by Sept. 2025, the project seeks to establish a more sustainable agricultural future for Afghanistan.

Looking Forward

The CBARD-ALL initiative plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable alternatives to Afghanistan’s opium poppies, showing notable progress. By providing viable options rather than enforcing prohibitive measures, CBARD-ALL aims to improve the livelihoods and incomes of those impacted by the opium ban. This strategy not only reduces economic reliance on opium cultivation but also promotes economic resilience and diversification, crucial for the stability and development of rural areas. In regions dependent on agriculture and challenged by poor infrastructure and limited connectivity to major cities, this ongoing project is vital for securing a sustainable and lasting agricultural future in Afghanistan.

– Mathieu Paré

Mathieuis based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sahar: The Organization Unlocking Education in Afghanistan

Education in AfghanistanEducation is crucial for unlocking opportunities and instilling hope. It can transform lives, empower individuals and uplift entire communities. However, not everyone has the chance to experience life-changing schooling. In Afghanistan, the situation is particularly dire: 80% of girls are out of school and less than one-third have ever entered primary education. This is not by choice. Due to the Taliban’s oppressive policies, which ban formal education for girls above the sixth grade, girls are barred from formal educational facilities. Despite these restrictions, many brave individuals and organizations are working tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to provide education to Afghan girls.

Education’s Impact

Education can bring social and economic development, reduce poverty and promote gender equality. In Afghanistan, educated girls are better equipped to contribute to their communities and the country’s development. However, the benefits of education are not limited to those who receive it directly. Educated women are more likely to ensure their children are educated, creating a positive cycle.

Sahar

Sahar, a nonprofit organization, has been at the forefront of the fight to educate Afghan girls. Since its creation in 2001, Sahar has helped educate 250,000 girls through 2024. The nonprofit provides grassroots schools and underground education, with people risking their lives to teach and learn. In 2001, Sahar aimed to build connections between the United States (U.S.) and Afghanistan, gradually expanding its mission. In this war-torn country, Sahar has built and supplied 39 schools, striving to serve those denied educational opportunities. Through education, Sahar opens pathways for girls to aim for a better life, targeting the 1.1 million girls lacking access to formal education.

Founded by Julia Bolz, an international humanitarian lawyer, Sahar has achieved remarkable success through partnerships. Information about said partners is limited, as partners in Afghanistan are actively breaking oppressive laws by protecting the human right to education. However, outside of Afghanistan, Sahar collaborates with several global partners. Sahar partners with the Afghan Ministry of Education, which helps maintain schools once they have been constructed. Additionally, foundations and philanthropists like Janet Wright Ketcham support the initiative, helping to construct two schools in Afghanistan. Institutes like the University of Washington and Coe Elementary School in Seattle have also supported Sahar’s goals through architectural assistance and fundraising efforts.

The Bright Future of Education in Afghanistan

The struggle for educational access in Afghanistan is ongoing. The Taliban’s restrictive policies, combined with cultural barriers, create significant challenges. However, the resilience and determination of Afghan girls and the organizations supporting them offer hope. Sahar’s work demonstrates the power of grassroots efforts and underground education in overcoming obstacles. By continuing to support Sahar and similar organizations, we can open up education and brighter futures for young girls. The fight for educational access in Afghanistan is far from over. 

– Abby Collins

Abby is based in Massachusetts, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr