The Widow Who Makes a Living Through Dairy Production

Aisha, a 37-year-old resident of Sarobi district in Kabul, has been the sole provider for her five children since her husband’s death four years ago. She recalls: “When my husband passed away, we had nothing. We spent days and nights in hunger. Later, an organization gave me two cows, and from that moment, my life changed.”

Every morning, Aisha’s day begins with milking the cows. In a small corner of her village home, her hands—filled with both experience and hope—work tirelessly to make cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. “By selling products like butter, cheese, yogurt, milk, dried curd, and buttermilk, I cover my family’s expenses and send my children to school,” she explains.

Her efforts are not limited to her own household’s needs. Aisha points out that, in rural areas, the absence of large factories has pushed many women to set up small-scale dairy workshops in their homes: “Factories are in the cities, and they don’t buy milk from us. That’s why we have no choice but to process the milk at home and make different products.”

With the help of her children, Aisha not only manages to support the family but has also improved their living conditions. She believes that these continuous efforts are what will secure a brighter future for her family.

Women’s rights activists stress that women’s role in development is not just a slogan but a reality that is clearly visible in action. According to them, dairy production by women is not merely a product, but a reflection of their determination to begin change within themselves.