A recent study published with the National Institutes of Health concluded that 62% of Afghans had experienced at least four traumatic events in the last ten years with women at an even higher rate. “If you are in a continued environment of violence, without empathy, it is difficult to survive psychologically,” said Inge Missmahl, the director of the International Psychosocial Organization which trains Afghan therapists.
New York Times takes a look at this dire situation, following Farkhunda Shahab who is one of only five female therapists working in the northeastern Afghan province of Kapisa.