Afghan women are bearing the brunt of one of the most severe droughts in recent decades.
Field reports from central provinces of Afghanistan, particularly Bamyan and Maidan Wardak, reveal that water shortages and lack of proper sanitation infrastructure have created difficult conditions for women.
Shukria Atayi, a teacher from Shibar village in Bamyan, says: “Water is a women’s issue.
” Women and girls must walk kilometers to fetch water from contaminated springs and wells. According to UNICEF statistics, nearly one-third of Afghanistan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water, and 42 percent are deprived of basic hygiene facilities.
Aid organizations warn that the lack of clean water, especially during menstruation or while caring for children, has created a serious health crisis for women.
Recent floods in Maidan Wardak province have worsened the situation, and experts believe the continuation of this trend will increase poverty and gender inequalities.
