Several citizens told Voice of Women of Afghanistan that due to poverty and financial hardship, they are unable to prepare for the Solar New Year 1405 and Eid, which coincide with the month of Ramadan.
They say the spread of poverty and financial hardship has left many people without the motivation or means to prepare for these occasions. Citizens also stress that the prices of food items, particularly dried fruits, sweets, and clothing, are increasing day by day.
Nasser, who runs a street auction stall selling handicrafts from Karachi at Tang Til Station in Dasht-e-Barchi, spoke about New Year and Eid traditions. He said that people usually buy new clothes on New Year’s Eve and prepare cakes, cookies, Simyanak, and sweets. However, he added that he himself has not prepared any of these items so far.
He, a father of three daughters and one son, says he can barely provide for his family’s daily needs. He recounts his life, saying: “We gave up a life of luxury, and now we are grateful if we can find even a piece of plain bread.”
In response to a question about how he feels when others buy new clothes for their children at New Year, Nasser says it is painful for any parent. However, financial hardship and lack of means have forced him and his family to cope with these challenges.
Amin, another resident of Kabul, faces Eid with his family with empty hands and empty pockets. A teacher at a private school, he said he was unemployed this past winter and had no income.
According to him, the money he saved from teaching was spent this winter on fuel and food. Although he says Eid is an excuse to celebrate the joys, he is skipping it this year due to financial difficulties.
He is a teacher and interacts with families and people more than most, and says he knows dozens of families who, due to not having a home, being unable to pay rent, and other financial and economic hardships, have put their joys out of mind.
On the other hand, Voice of Women of Afghanistan conducted an interview with Asma, a woman who fulfills both the roles of mother and father in her life. The account of her daily life is heartrending and bitter.
Asma says she has a contract with a gum manufacturing company in Haji Nabi town to go to the company two days a week and wash the workers’ clothes. She says she receives a “fee” of 200 Afghanis each time.
Her husband, who is paralyzed, and their three children rely on her to pay for his medication. Although their house is not rented, the cost of her husband’s medicine reaches 700 to 800 Afghanis per month.
According to her, about two years ago her husband fell from the top of a building and is now paralyzed in the lower back. Doctors said the vertebrae in his lower back were separated, and there is little chance of recovery.
As for preparations for the New Year, he says that sometimes when he goes to the market, he sees people buying new clothes and others preparing dried and fresh fruits for Eid, while he can only “stare” and sigh quietly.
Asma is not only recounting her own painful life, but also highlights that thousands of families across Afghanistan, especially those headed by women, are facing countless challenges.
One of the fruit sellers in the Kote Sangi area also said that people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly compared to previous years.
He emphasizes that the situation is worsening day by day. According to him, when people’s living conditions are poor, the effects are also evident in the market.
The dried fruit seller said he used to sell fresh fruit, but his produce spoiled and he lost money, as he explained that people’s purchasing power has dropped dramatically.
However, analysts and social activists consider the Taliban regime to be the main culprit behind this dire situation. Since the regime’s return to power, people’s purchasing power has declined, and everyone is struggling to survive.
Photo credited: Internet
