Yesterday, Amana, learned that her father had arranged for her to marry one of his relatives. Thinking of this, her smile quickly fades. She is 13 years old.
For Fatima, life used to be mostly confined to the four walls of her house. She had been locked away in a conservative culture that affords women few rights.
He finds a white glass container with a small amount of fruit juice inside, maybe three or four drops; he peers into the container, concentrating, and then puts it to his mouth.
World Vision has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, when our operations began in response to an emergency. Within a few years, the organisation moved toward rehabilitation and then on to long-term development programming. Since 2011, we have focused our operations in Herat, Ghor and Badghis provinces in the western region of the country.
As World Vision, we strive to ensure all children: experience good health; are educated for life; are cared for, protected and participating, and experience the love of God and their neighbours. We are proud to say that we have an excellent reputation among Afghan communities and feel privileged to be widely accepted in the provinces in which we work. We see everything we do as a partnership between us, communities and our donors.
As Water Levels Drop, Early Marriage is on the Rise
Badro and her family of five moved from Badghis to Herat Province six months ago when sparse rainfall led to the failure of winter harvest, widespread loss of livestock due to fodder scarcity and the drying of drinking water wells. Early marriage is quickly becoming a routine coping mechanism for mitigating drought-related difficulties. Families marry off their girls for revenue in the form of bride price.
Simple and low cost solution to cope with drought
Drought conditions in Badghis led to the failure of the winter harvest, and also wiped out the new crops that were planted for the spring growing season. It is estimated 60 % of their livestock have died or have been sold off at minimal value. It is also estimated that 40 % of wells have dried up. World Vision, in partnership with UNOCHA and World Food Programme is working to respond to the urgent needs of drought affected families in Badghis, as well as those who have been displaced to Herat Province.
