Since the fall of the government and the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan over the past three years, the status of women journalists has undergone a significant transformation. These changes have not only curtailed the professional endeavours of these women but have also fostered a sense of discouragement and despair among them.
Among the challenges that can be highlighted is the fact that media outlets, citing concerns or societal pressures, have refrained from hiring women journalists. This circumstance has led to a significant decline in the number of females within the field of information dissemination.
Maryam (pseudonym), one of the female journalists, speaks about the limitations and challenges in the field of information dissemination: “Women journalists face numerous difficulties due to their reporting and informational activities, including security threats, a lack of job opportunities, restricted access to information, and insufficient remuneration for extensive work. These factors contribute significantly to the decline in the number of female journalists in the domain of reporting and information dissemination.”
Meanwhile, several female journalists assert that the recent implementation of stringent regulations in Afghanistan has significantly restricted women’s participation in the media.
Although women journalists previously played pivotal roles in the media landscape, the current circumstances have led to a decline in their self-confidence and a pervasive sense of futility among them
Sanam (pseudonym), another female journalist, expresses: “The uncertainty about whether we can continue our work or not, coupled with the restrictions and current conditions in the country, which has profoundly affected my sense of despair and disillusionment, as well as that of most women journalists currently working in Afghanistan. We no longer possess the same fervour for our work as we once did.”
Meanwhile, many women journalists have been compelled to flee the country due to threats and dire circumstances, further contributing to the scarcity of female voices in Afghanistan’s media landscape.
The condition of women journalists in Afghanistan underscores the serious challenges faced by this sector. Some journalists believe that to support these women and promote human rights and freedom of expression in Afghanistan, there is a pressing need for attention and action from the international community and human rights organizations. This situation not only impacts the professional lives of women journalists but also has far-reaching effects on the overall media culture in Afghanistan.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
