Unemployed women forced to beg, say activists

KABUL (Pajhwok): Civil society activists, staging a protest in Kabul on Thursday, said women were forced to beg in the city due to lack of jobs and economic hardships.

A number of women activists took part in the protest demonstration, saying women faced severe economic hardships since they became unemployed and forced to stay at home.

One of the protesters, Hussain Sarwari, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many women were even forced to beg, which was intolerable.

She said the purpose of their protest was for women to raise their voices and demand their rights from the new rulers.

She warned of continued protests if women's rights were not respected.

"There are many women who have no one at home to work, they can't afford house expenses, what do they eat?" she asked.

Another protester, Zahra Ahmadi, told Pajhwok Afghan News that tens of thousands of men and women had lost their jobs, leaving their families in dire financial straits.

"Women have become unemployed, girls' schools have been closed, we want our rights, we must be given the same job opportunities as before to lead a normal life," she said.

She also demanded that not only the salaries of government employees should be paid, but also that women should be given a share in the institutions as before.

Another protester, Diba Farahmand, told Pajhwok Afghan News that bad days had befallen the country, forcing people to sell their household items due to unemployment and poverty.

"There is no work and the price of food has gone up. No one can afford to buy food," she said.

Farahmand says women should be given jobs to solve their economic problems and provide a decent living for their families and children.

A number of other female protesters also expressed similar views, saying that if their rights were not respected, they would continue their protests.

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