Several women residing in Farah province, who are the sole breadwinners of their households, are facing economic difficulties as the winter season sets in. These women are struggling due to the lack of employment opportunities and sources of income, which has made it increasingly challenging for them to provide for their families. Zarghuna is a […]
Several women residing in Farah province, who are the sole breadwinners of their households, are facing economic difficulties as the winter season sets in. These women are struggling due to the lack of employment opportunities and sources of income, which has made it increasingly challenging for them to provide for their families.
Zarghuna is a woman who is the sole breadwinner of her family, diligently managing the expenses of her four children and has been widowed for two years.
She says: “The early days of working in people’s houses were very tough for me, but as I had lost my husband and had no breadwinner at home, I had to work to ensure my children wouldn’t go hungry. Since the weather has turned cold, our difficulties have increased. I am worried that my children might fall ill, as I have neither the means to treat them nor the ability to keep them warm at home.”
Sara is a seamstress in Farah province and is the sole breadwinner of her family, but now with the coming of winter, she and her family are in a difficult situation due to economic hardships.
“In winter, our economic struggles are more pronounced than ever, as prices soar, and we struggle to afford fuel or any means to keep our home warm. If our children get sick, we cannot even afford medicine. I am perplexed as to which problem to address first. My husband, due to his illness, is unemployed, and our children are undernourished. I am compelled to work and provide for our household expenses, dividing my time between sewing and managing the household.”
One of the additional challenges in winter is the escalation of fuel prices, a persistent issue in the country. However, the underprivileged populace, due to their financial constraints, is the most vociferous about the soaring prices.
It’s alarming to note that there has been a significant reduction in humanitarian aid over the past two years, causing immense suffering to impoverished families in Afghanistan. The hardest hit is the female laborers, who consistently bear the brunt of such crises due to the lack of a breadwinner in their homes. This situation is unacceptable, and immediate and decisive action should be taken to address this issue. There is a need to ensure that these families receive the support they need to survive and thrive, and cannot afford to delay any further.
