• Kabul during August 2000

• Children in Afghanistan, December 2001

• Maternal Health Projects in Kabul, November 2001

• People in Rustaq, January 2003

Maternal Health Projects in Kabul, Afghanistan, November 2001
“Few places have focused world attention on women’s human rights more than Afghanistan. International interest in the country waned following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989 and the end of the Cold War. Interest was rekindled, however, when a little-known force, the Taliban, captured Kabul in September 1996, driving out the opposing Northern Alliance. The military maneuver might have drawn little general notice if not for the rules announced in radio broadcasts by the Taliban

Women and girls were banned from schools and universities, forbidden from working outside their homes, and required to have a male relative to escort them in public. A strict dress code required them to be veiled from head to foot. Men were affected as well. They were not permitted to shave or trim their beards or to wear Western-style clothes, and were required to pray five times a day. Movies, videos, televisions, games, kite flying, dancing, and music were forbidden. Anything associated with Western practices was outlawed as  “un-Islamic.” Violators were dealt with severely and publicly, with amputations and executions in the Kabul stadium after Friday prayers.

In larger compass, poverty, death, and loss of family has defined the lives of Afghans for two decades of conflict. The country is the world’s largest source of refugees, with more than 2.5 million Afghans residing in Iran and Pakistan in refugee camps and communities. Like many of their sisters in other war-torn societies, Afghan women shoulder the brunt of war’s impact. They have buried their husbands, parents, and children and are profoundly traumatized by the seemingly never-ending power struggle that plagues their homeland.” (Julie A.Mertus: War’s Offensive on Women; The Humanitarian Challenge in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Kumarian Press, USA). 

The photo gallery below shows photos taken during the two last weeks of Taliban rule in kabul, end of october 2001.

During the past six years Terre des hommes faced immense challenges as it tried to maintain a health program with and for women in Kabul, tried to structure programs to meet the needs of women and girls and also to uphold a human rights-based framework.

Forced to grapple with the restrictive policies of the Taliban authorities, Terre des hommes (Tdh) has been successfully operating a Mother and Child Health - Home Visiting Program (MCH-HVP) in Kabul City since January 1996, by employing 30 female health professionals. Since pregnant and nursing women are particularly vulnerable to lack of food and health care, Terre des hommes addressed the needs of approximately 85.000 women every year.

Despite deteriorating security situation and military attacks on Kabul the 30 Terre des hommes midwives visited in the month of October exactly 1.000 new houses in search for pregnant women in need. They found 469 women in need and visited additionally 2.123 mothers already in the program. The midwives offered health education sessions in the neighborhoods for 7.270 women and older girls focusing on safe motherhood. Within the program 353 new-born babies received assistance and treatment when required. 199 malnourished mothers and one motherless baby have been identified and included in Tdh’ nutrition program, sponsored by Canada Fund. Due to the worsening situation in Kabul, leading to massive population movements, the midwife teams had to increase their numbers of surveys. Moreover the Tdh midwives reported in October the highest number of complications during pregnancy (abnormal bleeding etc) since the implementation of the program in 1996.