As Afghanistan continues to grapple with an ongoing economic crisis, rising unemployment, and mounting psychological pressures, cases of domestic violence are steadily increasing. This surge has alarmed social activists and many families across the country. According to them, the economic crisis has torn many families apart, with women and children, whose mental health has been severely impacted, emerging as the primary victims of domestic violence.
Psychologists attribute unemployment to one of the key drivers of family violence. They explain that widespread joblessness has had negative psychological effects on people, often turning them into aggressive individuals. Findings from several international organizations also indicate that the rate of domestic violence in Afghanistan has increased compared to previous years, mainly due to economic hardship and unemployment.
Some women report that their children are being raised in hostile home environments due to the severe economic crisis and the joblessness of family members.
Maryam (pseudonym), a 33-year-old resident of Paktika and mother of five, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that poverty and her husband’s unemployment have cast a dark shadow over her life and that of her children. She said, “My husband used to have a job, but he’s been unemployed for a long time. Without work, he’s always angry, shouting at the children and me. Our home is filled with anger and tension. My children and I are the victims of his unemployment. On the other hand, you can’t entirely blame men; the family’s burden is on their shoulders, and unemployment makes anyone irritable.”
Domestic violence has not only constrained mothers but also severely affected the mental health and lives of children and adolescents.
Mohammad, a 14-year-old boy from Paktia Province who pushes a cart in the city to earn money, sometimes doing strenuous labor due to dire need, said, “Our family’s poor financial situation forced me to give up school and play. My father’s unemployment also made me work to support the family.” He added, “My father used to have a job, but now he’s unemployed. He also works as a cart-pusher, but even that job is hard to come by these days. When work is scarce, he gets angry at me and my mother, and our home becomes filled with tension. These economic pressures and violence made me leave school and look for work.”
Educated youth are also voicing their frustrations over unemployment and the resulting psychological strain. They say joblessness and economic struggles have become obstacles to their dreams and a source of mental distress.
Asadullah (pseudonym), a 24-year-old university graduate who has been unemployed for two years, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily, “Unemployment and having empty pockets have caused me mental anxiety. Sometimes, I even clash with my family members at home.” He continued, “Every day, I look for work, but there’s nothing. When I return home, my father gets angry and asks why I don’t work or bring money. I get upset too—because I suffer, and unemployment has become a major barrier to my life and dreams.”
Human rights activists report a rise in cases of domestic violence in recent months. They say a large number of such cases have been shared with them recently, with economic hardship being the primary cause.
Noor Mohammad (pseudonym), a university professor and human rights activist, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that he has received increasing reports of domestic violence from various provinces in recent months. He stated, “The main reason for the increase in domestic violence is economic hardship. When a person becomes unemployed, they experience feelings of shame, worthlessness, and humiliation. This can lead to criminal behavior, abuse of others, and venting anger on their spouse and children.”
At the same time, social affairs experts stress that to reduce domestic violence, job opportunities must be created, psychological counseling should be provided, and professional and economic support programs must be initiated. According to these experts, organizations advocating for women’s rights must remain active, and victims of violence should receive legal, psychological, and financial support.
Rahmatullah (pseudonym), a 28-year-old man, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily, “When someone remains unemployed for a long time, it deeply affects them emotionally and mentally. In patriarchal societies, men are the breadwinners, and unemployment is considered a source of shame. International organizations must launch broad programs to reduce unemployment; otherwise, if this situation isn’t addressed in time, the social fabric of families will face serious damage.”
It is worth noting that in recent months, the unemployment rate in the country has risen. On one hand, following the suspension of U.S. aid, thousands of employees of international organizations have lost their jobs. On the other hand, the Taliban have also dismissed thousands of government employees and university professors under the pretext of “downsizing.”
Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Afghanistan, citing the United Nations, reported that 46 percent of married women in Afghanistan experience physical violence, 34 percent face psychological abuse, and 6 percent suffer sexual violence. These statistics reflect a structural crisis in women’s rights, which has worsened with the collapse of institutions such as the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Independent Human Rights Commission, and safe houses.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
افزایش فقر و بیکاری؛ زنان و کودکان قربانیان اصلی خشونتهای خانوادهگی در افغانستان
