Support us
The Afghan Times

Afghanistan’s Voice, Youth-Led

  • Home
  • Afghanistan
    AfghanistanShow More
    Taliban Arrest Children in Ghazni, Accuse Them of Selling Hair and Theft

    Rights groups condemn arbitrary detention of minors amid rising abuse of power…

    2 Min Read
    Girls Too Young to Carry Children: Voices from Afghanistan’s Frontlines of a Growing Maternal Health Emergency

    Premature Births Double in Central-Southern Afghanistan Amid Alarming Rise in Child Marriages

    5 Min Read
    How Aid Cuts Are Fueling a Malnutrition Crisis in Afghanistan: What You Need to Know

    With 3.5 million children at risk, reduced humanitarian support has left families…

    7 Min Read
    Taliban Reaffirms Ban on Women Working in NGOs, Expands Restrictions

    The Taliban has doubled down on its ban on women working in…

    1 Min Read
    Taliban Leader Bans Windows Overlooking Neighboring Homes to Restrict Women’s Visibility

    The Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a directive banning the…

    1 Min Read
  • Women
    WomenShow More
    Pakistan’s Deportation Drive Puts Afghan Women’s Lives at Risk

    UN and rights groups condemn expulsions as women and children make up…

    5 Min Read
    Hidden in the Trunk: How Kandahar Erases Women from Public Life

    In southern Afghanistan, women are forced into car trunks—exposing a deeply rooted…

    6 Min Read
    Women in Baghlan Build Economic Independence Through Skills Training—But Demand Education Rights

    Amid Taliban restrictions, resilient Afghan women are carving out livelihoods through employment…

    4 Min Read
    Thousands of Women Denied Pension Rights Under Taliban Rule, Families Suffer Severe Hardship

    A former civil servant, Nazifa, who dedicated 23 years of her life…

    4 Min Read
    Afghan Women Protest in Islamabad on International Women’s Day, Call to End Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan

    On International Women’s Day, a group of Afghan women gathered in the…

    5 Min Read
  • People
    PeopleShow More
    Abdul Wahab and Gulsoom: The Price of Survival Amid Food Insecurity

    For World Food Day, October 16, 2024, the Afghan Times and IUF Asia/Pacific released a report “Women…

    5 Min Read
    Afghan Women Face Serious Challenges Amid Flooding

    Maqsooda and her daughters now drink as little water as possible during…

    9 Min Read
    Afghanistan Flash floods leave women struggling to access sanitary products

    Women in the flooded provinces do not feel they can talk about…

    5 Min Read
    Afghanistan has been ranked as the saddest country in the world

    On Wednesday, March 20, the Gallup organization published the outcomes of a…

    3 Min Read
    Education Challenges Persist for Afghan Children in Khost Province

    In Babrak Thana, Khost province, Afghan students demonstrate remarkable resilience as they…

    1 Min Read
  • Know Their Stories
    Know Their StoriesShow More
    Trapped in Bricks: Thousands of Afghan Children Sacrifice Education for Survival

    Amid worsening economic conditions, approximately 8,000 children in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province are…

    4 Min Read
    Boundaries Beyond the Field: What Cricket Means for Afghan Children

    In the shadow of a war-torn land, where bomb craters and sandstorms…

    18 Min Read
    The Thirst of a Nation: Two Sisters’ Daily Walk for Survival in Afghanistan

    In the desolate hills of rural Afghanistan, life revolves around the simplest…

    10 Min Read
    Open Skies, Closed Doors: The Education Crisis in Afghanistan

    As the first light of dawn begins to illuminate the Afghan mountains,…

    18 Min Read
    A Mother’s Struggle: How Gender Expectations Turned a Happy Marriage into a Life of Hardship in Rural Afghanistan

    In a quiet corner of Nangarhar’s Sarh Rud district, Rogal, a 35-year-old…

    6 Min Read
  • Open Mic
    Open MicShow More
    Open Mic: Ep 23 with Mahnaz Haidary

    In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we welcome Mahnaz Haidary,…

    3 Min Read
    Open Mic: Ep 22 with Alina Naseri

    In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we welcome Alina Naseri,…

    3 Min Read
    Open Mic: Ep 21 with Zainab Noori

    In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we welcome Zainab Noori,…

    3 Min Read
    Open Mic: Ep 20 with Tawos Nazari

    In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we are honored to…

    7 Min Read
    Open Mic: Ep 19 with Zarlasht Naser

    In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we are joined by…

    6 Min Read
  • More
    • Afghanistan
      • Arts & Culture
      • Buisness
      • Education
      • People
      • Children
    • World
      • Europe
      • UK
      • US
      • Asia
      • Africa
    • Click for more
      • Open Mic
      • Travel
      • Weather
      • Opinions
      • Cricket
    • The Afghan Times
      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Social Media Policy
      • Contribution Guidelines
      • Contact Us
Reading: A Mother’s Struggle: How Gender Expectations Turned a Happy Marriage into a Life of Hardship in Rural Afghanistan
Share
Font ResizerAa
The Afghan TimesThe Afghan Times
  • Afghanistan
  • Women
  • Know Their Stories
  • Open Skies, Closed Doors
  • Education
  • Open Mic
  • About Us
  • Contact us
Search
  • Focus Home
  • Afghanistan
    • People
    • Arts & Culture
    • Business
  • Women
  • Know Their Stories
  • Open Mic
  • Sports
  • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contribution Guidelines
    • Social Media Policy
    • Contact us
Follow US
© 2022 The Afghan Times. All Rights Reserved.
Know Their StoriesWomen

A Mother’s Struggle: How Gender Expectations Turned a Happy Marriage into a Life of Hardship in Rural Afghanistan

Last updated: November 17, 2024 9:25 pm
The Afghan Times
Share
Photograph: The Afghan Times
SHARE

In a quiet corner of Nangarhar’s Sarh Rud district, Rogal, a 35-year-old mother, has lived a life marked by hardship, resilience, and a struggle for dignity. Her story is not just her own, but a reflection of a larger societal reality where the birth of daughters is often seen as a misfortune, and the price for not bearing a son can be devastating.

Rogal’s early married life began with promise. Her in-laws welcomed her with joy, and she felt optimistic about her future. But the birth of three daughters in a row brought about a dramatic change in her life. The expectations of her husband and his family weighed heavily upon her, as they hoped for a male heir — a hope Rogal could not fulfill. With each daughter’s birth, her standing in the household diminished.

“At first, they were happy with me, but as soon as it became clear that I wasn’t going to give them a son, their attitude changed,” says Rogal, her eyes filled with pain. “By the time I was pregnant with my third daughter, they had almost given up on me.”

Her fourth pregnancy was a turning point. Left to deliver her child at home without medical assistance, Rogal developed high blood pressure during labor, a dangerous complication that could have been avoided if she had received proper care. “No one took me to the hospital,” she says. “I had to endure it all alone.”

The situation worsened when, during her fifth pregnancy, a scan revealed that the child was another girl. Rogal’s husband, consumed by disappointment, turned to physical violence. She endured brutal beatings, and even after the birth, the baby girl was not spared. “I was punished for something I could not control,” Rogal recounts. “My daughters were treated as if they were my failure.”

Rogal’s story reveals the harsh realities many women face in rural Afghanistan, where the pressure to bear sons can lead to a life of hardship and abuse. Photograph: The Afghan Times

Tragically, her fifth daughter died shortly after birth. Despite the heartbreak, Rogal remained determined to provide a son for her husband, but fate had other plans. When her sixth child was born — another girl — her husband’s patience broke. He chose to marry another woman, leaving Rogal to fend for herself.

For the past three years, Rogal has lived in her father’s house, struggling to raise her children with almost no support. “Since he married again, I have been left to face this burden alone. The weight of raising my daughters and managing our livelihood is overwhelming,” she says.

Economic hardship has compounded her suffering. Rogal explains that the pressure of being both a mother and the primary breadwinner has left her in a state of constant anxiety. The stigma of not having a son has robbed her of dignity and security, both in her husband’s home and in society.

“I worry all the time about the future, about how I will support my daughters and what will become of them,” says Rogal, her voice weary with exhaustion.

Her story is not unique in a region where traditional values still prioritize sons over daughters, leaving women like Rogal vulnerable and often without a support system. Her experience highlights the urgent need for cultural change, for greater support for women, and for a society that values every child, regardless of gender.

Despite enduring violence and abandonment after giving birth to six daughters, Rogal continues to fight for her children’s future. Photograph: The Afghan Times

A number of women’s rights activists believe that challenging harmful practices, traditions, and beliefs in Afghan society requires a sustained effort in public awareness. They argue that the human rights organizations must take an active role in raising awareness. In addition, influential figures, the media, and local clerics are urged to use their platforms to promote the value of every child, regardless of gender, and to highlight the rights of women.

“Education and awareness are the strongest tools we have to dismantle these harmful beliefs,” says Marzia, a women’s rights activist. “If society understands that a child’s worth is not tied to their gender, it can change the lives of countless women like Rogal.”

“Change must come from within the community,” adds Marzia. “Local leaders, religious figures, and the media must join hands to spread a message of equality and respect for all children.”

“Public awareness isn’t just about educating women; it’s about reaching men, families, and entire communities,” she emphasizes. “Only then can we begin to shift mindsets and reduce the suffering caused by outdated traditions.”

Rogal’s tale is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many women in rural Afghanistan, where deep-rooted cultural expectations and economic difficulties can create a cycle of suffering for those who don’t conform to traditional gender norms.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
TAGGED:Afghan childrenChildren's rightsSingle MomStrong womenWomen Rights
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link
Previous Article Open Mic: Ep 6 with Arzu Naderi – The Afghan Times Podcast
Next Article Open Skies, Closed Doors: The Education Crisis in Afghanistan
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent posts:

  • Pakistan’s Deportation Drive Puts Afghan Women’s Lives at Risk
  • Hidden in the Trunk: How Kandahar Erases Women from Public Life
  • Open Mic: Ep 23 with Mahnaz Haidary
  • Taliban Arrest Children in Ghazni, Accuse Them of Selling Hair and Theft
  • Girls Too Young to Carry Children: Voices from Afghanistan’s Frontlines of a Growing Maternal Health Emergency

Editor's Pick

Afghan new school year begins with more than 1 million girls barred from education
Afghanistan Education Women
Three years on from Taliban takeover, Afghan women pay the price
Women
Amidst strict limitations, online education offers hope for female Afghan students
Education Women
Taliban Enforces Ban on Women’s Voices and Public Visibility
Afghanistan Women

Categories

Afghanistan Arts & Culture Asia Business Cricket Crime & Law Education Europe In Pictures Know Their Stories Magazine Migration Open Mic Open Skies, Closed Doors Opinion People Real Lives Sports Uncategorized Voices Unbreakable Watch Weather Women

You Might Also Like

Women

The struggle of Afghan women to find food

Bibi, a mother from Afghanistan, wakes up every morning with a heavy heart, knowing that another day of struggle lies…

11 Min Read
AfghanistanPeopleWeatherWomen

Afghan Women Face Serious Challenges Amid Flooding

Maqsooda and her daughters now drink as little water as possible during the day. They prefer to spend hours in…

9 Min Read
AfghanistanPeopleWeatherWomen

Afghanistan Flash floods leave women struggling to access sanitary products

Women in the flooded provinces do not feel they can talk about periods and sanitary products. Women affected by flash…

5 Min Read
AfghanistanArts & CultureEducationWomen

A woman is giving girls hope by providing opportunities

"My brothers can go to school, but I cannot. Always at home, I am tired," said Sahra. She was an…

2 Min Read
The Afghan Times

Afghanistan

  • Women
  • People
  • Sports
  • Foods
  • Life Style

Women

  • Gender restrictions
  • Women Rights
  • Brave women
  • Education bans
  • Forced marriages

Children

  • Know Their Stories
  • Open Skies, Closed Doors
  • Open Sky Schools
  • Children’s rights

More

  • Taliban Restrictions Since 2021
  • Food Insecurity
  • World Food Day 2024
  • Human rights
  • Open mic

The Afghan Times

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Social Media Policy
  • Contribution Guidelines
  • Newsletter
  • Member Login
  • My account

Links

  • Support Us
  • Privacy policy
  • Contribution guidelines
  • Contact us
  • About us
© 2025 The Afghan Times. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?