Afghanistan: Female led households under the Taliban
Life for single mothers in Afghanistan has always been marked by stigma, poverty and discrimination. However, with the Taliban in control, their situation has become much more desperate.
Rachel*, a 35-year-old widow living in Afghanistan is renting a room in her father-in-law’s home for her and her four children to share. Her children sleep on the floor. While her kids were attending school, she was earning a living by cleaning a small clinic, but it barely provided for their daily needs. Then the Taliban decided that women were not allowed to work in an office where men work so she lost her job. Many nights they have nothing to eat and go to bed hungry. One of the key health concerns in Afghanistan is acute malnutrition. In 2021, 14 million Afghans were noted to be deficient in food supplies, with 95% of households not eating enough.
Sawa Foundation would like to provide $150 of monthly support for one year for Rachel so that she can adequately provide for the needs of her children. This amount supplies food and covers school tuition fees. We will evaluate the effectiveness of this aid program by following up with this mom about the children´s weight gain, school progress and overall health.
Tammy* is raising her kids on her own since their father abandoned them. Tammy provides for her family by rug weaving. Her teenage son also works for a tailor and receives a small weekly salary equivalent to $10 USD. However, their combined income is still lacking to cover their basic needs. We would like to provide monthly support to Tammy and her children, including food and school tuition fees and to purchase clothes and books for the children’s school.
Rachel and Tammy have a business idea. $4,500 would allow them to start two by-women for-women shops selling used clothes.