Female journalists in Afghanistan have always faced numerous challenges in the field of communication work. However, in the past two years, these challenges and restrictions have increased compared to any other time.
Among the fundamental problems in Afghan media, one can point to the narrowing of workspaces and the existence of gender discrimination in obtaining information for female journalists, which has made the work of journalism more difficult for them.
Sahar Hashemi (a pseudonym), a female journalist working as a field reporter in a local media outlet, complains about the presence of gender discrimination in the right to access information. She states, “Besides facing difficulties in obtaining information, discrimination also exists in the presentation of information. For example, a male colleague can access information, but if we try to contact certain officials, we are denied access to information for various reasons, or we are unable to participate in some programs, and sometimes we have to navigate from one department to another in search of the desired information.”
Some female journalists believe that due to the current limitations, media outlets are now hiring fewer female journalists and prefer to recruit male journalists instead to avoid future complications.
Zahra Rahimi (a pseudonym), another female journalist in Afghanistan, has lost her job and says that the working environment in the media for women has become more restricted than ever before.
“Media authorities hire fewer female journalists because restrictions have been imposed on women’s work, and they fear future challenges for their media outlets. For this reason, the number of male journalists in the media is higher, and they even work with higher salaries,” Zahra said.
According to statements from some female journalists in Afghanistan, most female journalists are unemployed, have poor mental and financial conditions, and face various restrictions, including difficulties in accessing information, while some who are actively working in communication face challenges.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
