Every morning at 6 am, Dr. Wahida and her colleagues brave Afghanistan’s unforgiving terrain, traveling two hours through rugged mountains to reach Botan Clinic in the earthquake-stricken Gulran district. Since the devastating earthquakes of October 2023, this clinic has become a lifeline for hundreds of families, offering maternal and child healthcare, treatment for infectious diseases, and a glimmer of hope for communities in despair.
Before the clinic, villagers endured long, costly journeys to Herat city for medical care—a luxury few could afford. Now, thanks to Islamic Relief’s establishment of three clinics in Botan, Chehal Dukhtaran, and Hamamak, life-saving treatment is accessible locally. “Without our support, the wellbeing of entire communities would be in jeopardy,” says Dr. Wahida, who views her work as a blend of physical care and emotional healing.
Rebuilding amid the ruins
The 2023 earthquakes ravaged homes, infrastructure, and an already fragile healthcare system. Families lost not just their possessions but their sense of security and hope. For Dr. Wahida, her mission extends beyond medicine—it’s about restoring dignity and resilience. In Kunar province, healthcare access is equally daunting. Women like Taslima, a 30-year-old midwife, face grueling conditions daily, navigating dangerous, rocky roads for hours to reach remote clinics. Taslima tends to around 70 patients each day, addressing conditions like malnutrition and anemia that might otherwise go untreated.
Women defying broken promises
The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign’s theme, Broken Promises, resonates deeply with Afghan women. Decades of unfulfilled pledges for progress and equality have only hardened their resolve.
Dr. Wahida and Taslima embody resilience, challenging societal norms and systemic setbacks to rebuild their communities. Their work not only saves lives but symbolizes a brighter future where Afghan women can lead, heal, and inspire change, proving that even in the face of broken promises, hope and determination endure.
