Salma Consulting

Today is #InternationalPeaceDay, for a world without war and violence. But we, at Salma, understand peace as far more than just the absence of war. While peace means, for Afghans, feeling safe and secure, it is also about: 🏠 Having a place to call home, free from fear and instability 📚 Having access to quality education and opportunities to learn and build a brighter future 🏥 Having access to essential physical and mental health services 🌾 Having access to sustainable sources of income and enough nutritious food to support their family We believe that true peace will only come by listening to Afghan voices. They are the experts in their own needs, hopes, and visions for the future. At Salma, we aim to amplify those voices and work towards an Afghanistan where peace is not just a concept, but a lived reality for all. #InternationalPeaceDay #Afghanistan #Peace #Wellbeing #ListenToAfghans #HumanRights #GlobalPeace #Research

🎉 Huge congratulations to our very own Senior Editor, Victoria Leonard, on the publication of her debut novel, Zina's Journey! Inspired by Victoria's grandmother's diaries, this moving historical novel tells a powerful story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable Ukrainian spirit through the eyes of Zina, a young Ukrainian girl facing the horrors of World War II. Alongside an enduring tale of love and the impenetrable bond between mother and child, Zina's Journey offers a unique and timely perspective on the devastating impacts of invasion, occupation, repression, and displacement—echoing the experiences of many Ukrainians today. Congratulations, Victoria, on this extraordinary achievement! Your work is sure to touch the hearts and minds of readers everywhere. 📚💛 If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you'll find Zina's story captivating and illuminating. Grab your copy on Amazon today and support Victoria's incredible work! Langology Language Services 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSeCsVsD #ZinasJourney #UkrainianHistory #HistoricalFiction #DebutNovel #MustRead #TeamCelebration

🚀 We Are Hiring! 🚀 Position: Copywriter (Junior) What we offer:  🔹 Flexible, part-time hours 🔹 Fully remote position 🔹 Work with a diverse team of international and local researchers 🔹 A varied portfolio of research and evaluation studies across all sectors of development and humanitarian work, including gender, public health, education, migration, agriculture, livelihoods, and more What we’re looking for:  🔸 Native English speaker 🔸 Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies (Master's preferred) 🔸 A keen eye for detail If you meet these criteria and are excited to join our team, we would love to hear from you! 📧 For more information, please reach out! → [email protected] #Hiring #Copywriter #RemoteJob #JobOpportunity #SocialStudies #Afghanistan

As we celebrate #WorldYouthSkillsDay 2024, we at Salma want to acknowledge the importance of empowering young people in #Afghanistan to build a better future for the country. With nearly half of Afghanistan's population under the age of 15 (NSIA, 2021), the need is key. When we speak with Afghan youth, particularly young girls, who navigate a challenging environment with limited learning opportunities, they often express a strong desire to improve their life and professional skills. They consistently share their hopes for more #vocationaltraining opportunities, such as tailoring, embroidery, carpet weaving, chicken farming, and kitchen gardening, which they know would help them earn money from home and better support their families. #YouthEmpowerment #SkillsForLife #AfghanYouth #GirlsEducation #VocationalTraining #YouthDevelopment

Small businesses have long been a vital component of Afghanistan’s economic development, with companies having fewer than 100 employees constituting 80 to 90% of all Afghan businesses, generating 50% of the GDP, and employing 75% of the labour force (MoCI of Afghanistan). In a particularly challenging context where job opportunities are scarce, especially for women facing restrictions on employment and mobility, promoting and supporting small businesses is key. In Afghanistan, home-based businesses and entrepreneurship offer viable opportunities for women to generate an income and provide for their families, ensuring their basic needs are met within culturally, socially, and legally acceptable frameworks. Today, as the world observes Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Day, we celebrate the creativity and resilience of these Afghan women across the country. #SmallBusiness #AfghanistanEconomy #EconomicDevelopment #WomenEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #MSMEDay #Resilience #EconomicInclusion #InclusiveGrowth #SustainableDevelopment

Okay, we’re out now, but what a moment of fun and thrill we had! Until next time! 💪🏻 #Cricket #ICCT20 #Afghanistan #MentalHealth #Research #Community #Resilience

🏏 We’re getting closer! Let’s tune in and support our team in a few hours as they take on the unbeaten South Africa in the #ICCT20WorldCup2024 semifinal! This is a great opportunity to recognise the profound impact sports, especially #cricket, have on promoting good #mentalhealth within Afghan communities. In a recent research study on mental health in Afghanistan conducted by Salma for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), many men and boys—and women and girls too!—shared that when they feel down or anxious, they often find relief by playing cricket with friends or watching a game on TV. Even if it’s just for the duration of a match (which we know can last for hours!), they can set aside their struggles and find reasons to keep pushing despite the hardships they face. The same goes for watching a 3-hour #ShahRukhKhan movie, right? 😉 Now, let’s gear up, cheer, and get ready to toss the ball and aim for victory!

In many countries, a woman’s social status is closely tied to her husband’s, so when he dies, she may struggle to redefine her place in society. Today, on #InternationalWidowsDay, we acknowledge the specific challenges faced by widows worldwide, especially in Afghanistan, where traditional practices often limit their basic rights. Widows frequently face stigma and discrimination, risk losing their children, and are denied inheritance and property rights. This leads to increased poverty, difficulty accessing services such as healthcare, and mental health struggles, making them one of the most vulnerable groups in the country. This day is an opportunity to recognise widows' unique experiences and needs in Afghanistan. At Salma, we are committed to ensuring their voices are heard, and advocating for programmes that recognise their intersectional vulnerabilities to better tailor the support organisations provide nationwide. #InternationalWidowsDay #intersectionality #vulnerabilities #SupportWidows #WomensRights #DignityForAll

🌍 Today, the World Health Organization joins the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners in observing World Refugee Day 2024. 🔔 This day is a reminder that Afghans represent one of the largest refugee populations worldwide. There are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees globally, with an additional 3.22 million internally displaced by the end of 2023 (UNHCR, 2024). Yet, these numbers do not account for the many undocumented Afghans or those with different legal statuses seeking refuge around the world. 🕊️ At Salma, through our research efforts in the country, we are committed to giving a voice to Afghan refugees and IDPs. Today is a day to honour those who had to leave their homes in search of refuge and to highlight their rights and needs—including access to basic human necessities, the right to return home, and the right to dream. #WorldRefugeeDay2024 #RefugeeAwareness

As we celebrate World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, let's highlight that Afghanistan is one of the world's most vulnerable places to the impacts of the climate crisis. Drought is the most frequently reported shock experienced by Afghan households, exposing millions to critical losses in livelihoods and assets. This is compounded by economic hardship and the effects of four decades of war, leaving half the population in acute hunger, including 6 million people on the brink of famine (United Nations OCHA, 2023). Today is an opportunity to #raiseawareness about the diminishing land cover on Earth and urge #collectiveaction to address this pressing issue. #ClimateCrisis #Afghanistan #Sustainability #WorldDayToCombatDesertificationAndDrought #ClimateAction