A former civil servant, Nazifa, who dedicated 23 years of her life to the Finance Department of the Ministry of Defense under the previous government, has spent the last three years waiting for her pension rights, only to face crushing financial and health struggles.
Nazifa, a mother and the main breadwinner of her family, describes her desperate situation: “Our pension rights have not been paid for three years. I am six months behind on rent, and my landlord has warned me that if I don’t pay, I will have to leave the house. I also owe money to the shopkeeper and the pharmacy.”
The challenges for Nazifa’s family go beyond financial hardships. Her husband, also retired, is unable to contribute to their income, and both her son and daughter suffer from illnesses they cannot afford to treat. “The doctor told me my hand needs surgery, but I can’t even afford medicine, let alone an operation,” Nazifa shared. “Our situation worsens by the day. We have no one to help in this.”
Her family is just one among countless others affected by the suspension of pension payments since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Reports indicate that thousands of retired civil servants, particularly women, are grappling with similar crises. These women, many of whom dedicated decades of service to their country, now find themselves unable to pay rent, afford medical care, or even buy food.
Since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power, Afghanistan has plunged into an economic crisis, exacerbated by international sanctions, a freeze on foreign aid, and a collapsing public sector. Women, in particular, have borne the brunt of these changes. Many who served in government roles under the previous regime have been sidelined, with their pensions left unpaid, cutting off a vital lifeline for them and their families.
Nazifa pleads with authorities to recognize the dire situation retirees are facing and honor their commitment to the pensioners who helped build the country. “We have served this country for years. This is our homeland. Where can we go? We have nothing left to sell to survive.”
For many women like Nazifa, the lack of pension payments has not only left them in financial ruin but also compounded their health issues. Unable to afford treatment, they are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty and illness.
Advocates have called on the Taliban administration to prioritize the payment of pensions and ensure timely financial support for retired civil servants, especially women, whose economic and social security has been systematically eroded. Until then, families like Nazifa’s remain trapped in a grim reality, struggling to survive day by day.
