Salam Watandar English

16/04/2026

Sodaba Asghari, a resident of Kabul, says, “There must be someone behind it controlling everything. For example, if I need information—whether health-related, educational, or work-related—I have to give my personal information so it can provide what I want in the right format. In some apps, many girls and boys send their photos for editing. This is not an app that is fully under your control. You cannot even delete your photos afterward. That is not privacy.”

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/between-opportunity-and-concern-womens-experience-with-ai-in-afghanistan/

16/04/2026

Recurring droughts in recent years, caused by climate change, have reduced the incomes of farmers and livestock farmers in Ghazni. Reduced rainfall, water scarcity, drought and natural disasters such as floods have placed significant economic pressure on them. Under these conditions, economic resilience and climate adaptation projects can help protect and improve people’s livelihoods.

In recent years, the implementation of several projects in Ghazni has increased hope among farmers and livestock farmers. These projects include building greenhouses, setting up poultry farms, dairy production, tailoring programs for women, and conducting educational trainings. These projects are now ongoing in the provincial center and some districts.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/economic-resilience-of-farmers-and-livestock-farmers-through-climate-change-adaptation-projects/

15/04/2026

Legal experts and religious scholars emphasize that women have the right to insert lawful conditions in the marriage certificate (Nikah Nama) prior to marriage, and if the husband fails to act in accordance with such conditions, the wife may demand her rights through legal channels. However, some women complain that after years of marriage, the very conditions agreed by their husbands’ side prior to the marriage certificate have not been fulfilled.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/inserting-conditions-in-marriage-certificate-a-legal-mechanism-for-protecting-womens-rights/

14/04/2026

A youth in Badakhshan has developed softwares that simplifies everyday tasks for users. Amin Shahraniz, a 27-year-old graduate of the Computer Science Faculty at Badakhshan University, says he developed the “Nakhak” and “Chatyar” applications in just over one month at a cost of 10,000 Afghanis.

According to him, Nakhak is an application that enables tailors to track their orders and calculate their monthly income.

“In the Nakhak application, tailors can generate reports ranging from daily to monthly and annual income. They can see how many orders they received in a day, how many garments they sewed, and how many garments were delivered to customers,” he adds.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/chatyar-and-nakhk-a-youth-initiative-in-badakhshan-to-create-change/

14/04/2026

Row planting is a method in which seeds are planted in organized rows, in specific lines. According to experts, this method helps use resources more efficiently and supports better plant growth.

Ahmad Seyar, a farmer from Anaba District in Panjshir who participated in this program, says, “One advantage is that it uses less water, produces higher yields, and is more resistant than traditional methods. It is also much easier to control pests and diseases. Farmers can earn better profits by using this method.”

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/row-planting-of-wheat-in-panjshir-a-step-toward-standardized-farming/

11/04/2026

Parwiz, a 22-year-old from Jawzjan, who has been forced to postpone his wedding due to poverty, says that gold and its rising price are the main obstacles,

“We were supposed to get married last month, but we couldn’t hold the wedding ceremony because of the rise in gold prices. Gold is 100% necessary—we have to take loans, because we cannot cover the wedding expenses with this amount of money. The only reason is gold. The bride’s family insists that the gold must be provided as written in the list.”

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/rising-gold-prices-make-marriage-harder-for-youths/

09/04/2026

The results of Salam Watandar interview with 18 teachers who are also mothers, conducted across six provinces—Panjshir, Sar-e Pol, Daikundi, Baghlan, Kabul, and Samangan—show that 13 of them have been able to achieve a balance between teaching and motherhood through planning, division of responsibilities, and family support. However, the remaining five face serious challenges due to lack of family support and resources.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/teaching-and-motherhood-striving-to-balance-two-roles/

09/04/2026

A number of obstetricians and gynecologists at Malalai Hospital say that premarital counseling is important for both girls and boys, and that examinations such as blood group and Rh factor, hormonal tests, spermograms, evaluations of male and female reproductive health, and uterine health checks are essential before marriage.

They add that not paying attention to, and neglecting premarital counseling can, in some cases, lead to problems such as infertility and miscarriage in the future.

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A number of obstetricians and gynecologists at Malalai Hospital say that premarital counseling is important for both girls and boys, and that examinations such as blood group and Rh factor…

09/04/2026

Sohrab, a farmer in Kunduz, said that in recent years the productivity of his land has declined compared to the past. He added that land which used to produce good crops with limited fertilizer use and sufficient water now requires more fertilizer and irrigation to achieve the same yield.

“There have been many changes. In previous years, our yields were very high, and rainfall was abundant. There was a time when we didn’t use any fertilizer, but now even though we apply fertilizer, our yields have declined compared to the past. The production decreases year by year. We also use the main fertilizers, and compared to the past, fertilizer use has increased, yet our yields have continued to drop,” he said.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/climate-change-and-fertilizer-overuse-reduce-soil-quality-say-farmers/

08/04/2026

Although Islamic Sharia emphasizes consultation and mutual family understanding in decision-making — including marriage — in many families in Afghanistan the role of mothers in this process is overlooked, and they are excluded from decision-making.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/the-role-of-mothers-consultation-in-daughters-marriages-under-islamic-sharia/

07/04/2026

Faisal, from Kabul, says he turned to flower and plant cultivation because of economic hardship, and that this work helps him cover his own and his family’s basic expenses.

“Because of the difficult economic situation and the lack of jobs, I started growing flowers and plants. I also have a strong interest in greenery. I earn about six to seven thousand Afghanis per month from this work, which helps cover my family’s living expenses,” he says.

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/from-passion-to-opportunity-the-growth-of-flower-cultivation-among-youths/

06/04/2026

She says that today, not only has she succeeded herself, but she has also encouraged other women to grow flowers at home and in their gardens.

She has plans for the future and wants to expand her flower cultivation. She says, “I tell all women not to lose hope. Start with small steps and believe in yourselves. Every woman can make a difference.”

Click the link below and read more.
https://swn.af/en/2026/04/small-garden-big-dreams-story-of-a-woman-and-her-flowers/