‘We Do Not Give Up’. How Gardens, Wells, and Seeds Are Changing Lives of Afghan Women

Published: Sep 17, 2025 Reading time: 3 minutes Share:

For over forty years, conflict, poverty, and political upheaval have affected Afghan women’s lives. In rural areas in southeastern Afghanistan, women carry heavy burdens with few chances to learn, earn, or participate in community life. Yet behind these challenges are stories of resilience, quiet strength, and courage.

Feroza (65) lives with her two sons, daughter, and grandson in Qole Adam, a village, Ghazni Province.

“I lost my husband 10 years ago. Since then, I have raised the children on my own. Living as a widow here means being both mother and father to your children,” says Feroza.

Through our partnership with Alliance2015 member CESVI and funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), we distributed kitchen garden kits, farming tools, and trained Feroza and other local women in modern agriculture.

“We Enjoy the Green, Peaceful Space of our Kitchen Garden”

“This land used to be a desert. Now it’s green and full of life. I grow carrots, leeks, onions, cauliflower, and tomato, with seeds provided by PIN,” she says. “Every evening, I take my grandson to the kitchen garden. Together, we enjoy this peaceful garden. It gives me hope and relief.”

Nearby, Shukiba (21) studied at Herat University and dreamed of graduating with a diploma.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t return home until I graduated and found a job. I wanted to surprise my family. Now, those dreams are gone. Like many Afghan girls, I was deprived of education. Every day, I worry about my invisible future. But now, I irrigate, harvest, and even talk to my plants about my past and my dreams. They’ve become my silent friends,” she says.

Supporting Families to Grow, Earn, and Improve Life Together

Years of conflict, severe drought, and lack of access to agricultural resources have left deep scars on the land in Ghazni Province. This is why we supported 190 farmers across 36 villages with 9,500 kgs of wheat seeds along with 9,500 kgs, of urea fertiliser and 4,750 kgs of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser.

Additionally, 95 women received kitchen garden kits and tools to grow vegetables.

“I received 5 kinds of seeds and tools like shovels, sprinklers, spades, gloves, and hooks from PIN. I hope to sell some of my vegetables in December to earn a little income. It’s not much, but it sparks hope,” says Shukiba.

Approximately 28,000 individuals (4,000 households) received hygiene awareness session and hygiene kits, which protect them from illness.

“This project brought us together. We learned about clean water, handwashing, and how to prevent the spread of disease,” says Shukiba.

“This support is proving vital for us”

We are also helping to rebuild infrastructure.

“Our karezes, canals, and water dams were washed away by floods. We had to drink the same polluted water used for irrigation,” Shukiba says.

In the area 10 karezes, 187 wells, 13 canals, and 12 latrines are being rehabilitated or constructed, to provide safe water for drinking and irrigation. 100 people found temporary jobs cleaning and rebuilding canals and karezes through our cash-for-work intervention. “This support is proving vital for us,” mentions Feroza.

In addition, we have supported livestock breeding and forage production through the provision of fodder, forage seeds, vaccinations, and training for families with at-risk livestock.

In addition, 95 households received poultry packages, and 95 households were provided with small ruminant kits. We also launched a vaccination campaign and vaccinated 1,500 animals.

“This project has changed so much in our community. Almost every family benefited from this project,” says Feroza.

Today, Feroza feels at peace in her kitchen garden, while Shukiba finds strength and hope in hers. Though from different generations, both women are rebuilding dreams and hopes.

“It’s the story of countless Afghan girls. We may have been deprived of education or social activities, but we do not give up,” says Shukiba.