Self-Supporting Women in Herat Face Economic Crisis Amid Poverty and Unemployment

Local sources in Herat say a number of self-supporting women are facing severe economic difficulties due to poverty and a lack of job opportunities.

In interviews on Saturday, these sources stated that poverty and unemployment have placed the women in harsh conditions, with many unable to cover their families' living expenses. They noted that the women endured this winter with significant hardship, and concerns have grown over providing food and other basic needs as Ramadan approaches.

The sources added that many of these breadwinning women, lacking formal job opportunities, resort to low-paying daily wage labor that fails to meet family expenses and sometimes does not even cover transportation costs. Some women reported that prices of basic goods have risen in recent weeks and months, increasing pressure on vulnerable families.

The United Nations Development Programme has previously stated that the economic situation for women in Afghanistan is highly fragile, with limited access to financial resources and employment opportunities. UN findings indicate that about 75% of Afghanistan's population faces food insecurity and struggles to meet daily needs, while 88% of female-headed households lack access to minimum living requirements.