Almost three years after the disorderly US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Afghan women still suffer under the repressive Taliban regime.
BBC Arabic reported extensively on the cases of several women who either lost their jobs or had their salaries cut, some by as much as 90%.
Most women were forced to rely on the income of male relatives to support their families, even though they were previously able to support their families themselves.
Apart from the financial impact, the loss of income also places a heavy burden on their mental and physical health.
Depressed and stressed
Nadia, 35, was a senior government economist but was prevented from working there by the Taliban. She used to earn about $1,300 a month but now has to support her family of 15 on her brother’s income, which is unstable and very volatile.
She initially protested against the situation, but had to stop when she began to fear for her safety and that of her family.
Although she applied for a job, she was unsuccessful. The situation left her depressed, the report says.
Lisa, 36, a university lecturer, was allowed to keep her job but, like all lecturers, was ordered to stay at home and her salary was cut.
Lisa’s salary was about $500 a month, but was cut to $70 after the Taliban took power.
According to BBC Arabic, she now relies on her husband’s income to support their family of five, but as a mechanic he earns little more than she does.
Due to the loss of income, she was forced to borrow money from her sister, not knowing if she would be able to pay it back.
Due to her financial situation, she was unable to go to the doctor during her pregnancy with her fourth child, which made her even more depressed.
Zala, a former military prosecutor, told BBC Arabic she was the sole breadwinner for her family and received her last salary two days before Kabul fell.
Her salary of about $500 a month had supported a family of six, but now no one in her family could work and she was forced to use up her savings.
