A heartbreaking story from Afghanistan has drawn attention to the harsh reality faced by a father raising 58 living children. Muhammad Sadeq, who reportedly has more than 70 children in total, says his family struggles to afford even basic necessities. According to media reports, some of his children sometimes go to bed hungry, while others walk barefoot because the family cannot afford shoes.
Sadeq reportedly works at a car dealership, earning around 1,000 Afghanis for every car sold. With such limited and irregular earnings, supporting his four wives and large family has become a major challenge. Their living conditions are also difficult, with inadequate shelter and limited resources for cooking and daily needs.
In an interview with the BBC, Sadeq admitted that he sometimes cannot remember all his children’s names and often calls them “son” or “child.” He also acknowledged the difficulty of fulfilling his responsibilities as a father and expressed regret about the size of his family given their financial circumstances.
The story also raises serious concerns about child marriage, access to healthcare, poverty and the challenges faced by vulnerable families in Afghanistan. Behind the shocking number of children is a difficult question: how can parents ensure every child receives enough food, proper care, education and a safe home when resources are so limited?
Every child deserves a life with dignity, nourishment, education and protection. This story highlights why responsible family planning and support for vulnerable families matter.