Women beggars in Afghanistan are compelled to turn to this path due to extreme poverty, a lack of job opportunities, and an unstable social environment, with many of them serving as the primary breadwinners and heads of their families.
Most of these women come from vulnerable segments of society and, due to the absence of familial or social support, have taken to the streets, enduring harsh living conditions. They not only grapple with financial hardship but also confront social and gender discrimination that leaves little chance for improving their circumstances.
Somaia is a woman beggar who was compelled to resort to begging to resolve their economic difficulties when her husband became paralyzed.
“I lost my husband in a traffic accident, and after that, I had no one to assist me. Am unemployed and have a five-year-old daughter who is still a child and unable to. Wherever I went, I couldn’t find; even domestic work. Ultimately, I was forced to sit by the roadside, extending my hand in hopes of obtaining a morsel of bread for myself and my daughter,” Somaia said.
The economic plight of female beggars is recognized as one of the serious social and economic challenges, as many are driven to this occupation by poverty, unemployment, and economic instability.
Suraya, another woman beggar, spends her days sitting on the streets in search of a morsel of bread.
“I do this out of necessity; otherwise, who would choose to sit by the roadside and stretch out their hand in desperation? Thankfully, I do not have a child, for that would only add to the tragedy, rendering them another soul without a destiny, much like their parents. My husband is an addict, and I have not heard from him for months. The harshness of fate and my struggles have brought me to this point,” Suraya said.
Women beggars often take to the streets due to adverse economic conditions, a lack of job opportunities, and the absence of social support. They truly embody the economic and social deprivation of a society, driven to this life for various reasons, including war, poverty, domestic violence, and social discrimination.
These women typically face significant financial hardships and encounter formidable challenges in securing their basic needs and those of their children. Many are compelled to spend their entire day on the streets in pursuit of meagre assistance.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
