KABUL - For years before the Taliban seized power and the Afghan economy collapsed, Ms Jamila and her four children had clung to the edge of survival. After her husband died trying to cross the Iranian border, she and her children moved to a camp for displaced people in north-western Afghanistan and relied on aid organisations.
One group brought her oil, flour and rice food that kept her family from starving. Another gave her children pens and notebooks - the only supplies they had in primary school. A third vaccinated the family members against measles, polio and other illnesses.
But when Ms Jamila tried to arrange an emergency parcel of food in late December, the aid worker cut the call short, explaining that the organisation had suspended its operations: In December, the Afghan government barred women from working in most local and international aid groups, prompting many to stop their work. Ms Jamila's heart sank.
"If they are not allowed, we will die of hunger," said Ms Jamila, 27, who goes by only one name, like many women in rural Afghanistan.
"We are starving." Just weeks after the Taliban administration's decree, women across the country are grappling with the disappearance of lifesaving aid that their families and the country have relied on since the country was plunged into a humanitarian crisis.
It has been a dual tragedy for Afghanistan, and for Afghan women in particular.
For many women and girls who had already faced increasing restrictions under the new government including being shut away from many jobs, high schools, universities and public parks the new edict removed one of the few remaining outlets for employment and public life.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 15, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 15, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
UNBOTHERED BY BOOS
Korean star Son has kind words for the Lions despite 'bad words' from fans
Southgate wants clear heads after jittery day
Gareth Southgate has urged his England players to refocus after he dropped Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Harry Maguire from his Euro 2024 squad.
Optica Foundation cuts ties with Huawei after funding news
The Optica Foundation will no longer accept money from Huawei Technologies for a competition to fund research at US universities, the group's chief executive said, after Bloomberg News reported that the Chinese company was funding the programme.
Samsung workers in South Korea stage first-ever strike
SEOUL Workers at technology giant Samsung Electronics in South Korea staged the first-ever strike at the company on June 7, the head of a major union representing tens of thousands of people told AFP.
China's $2.7 trillion stock rally lures global fund holdouts back in
NEW YORK Global fund managers who had been holding back on China are wading back in.
Billionaire families fuel 27b wave of listed firm takeovers
Ultra-rich individuals and families worth more than US$150 billion are helping drive a resurgence in private equity buyouts, providing capital for some of the year's biggest acquisitions to overcome a tough dealmaking environment.
7% of caregivers of seniors with dementia living at home using restraints: Study
Those who had strong emotional support from friends less likely to report use of restraints
Rare clash of royals and cannibalism captured in S'pore forest
A king cobra swallows another of same species while still alive in a mangrove forest in the west
Makan Mania and more - demand for S'pore-themed games on the rise
Growing crop of board and card games made by home-grown designers hitting the market
British PM apologises for leaving D-Day events early to campaign
LONDON British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered a fresh setback in his struggling election campaign on June 7 when he apologised for leaving D-Day commemorations early in order to give an interview attacking the main opposition party.