One radio station educates Afghan girls under Taliban rule
10 months ago
- #Afghanistan
- #Education
- #Women's Rights
- Radio Begum is the only women-led radio station in Afghanistan, providing educational programs for girls banned from formal education by the Taliban.
- The station broadcasts lessons in subjects like geography, maths, and English, reaching nearly three million Afghan girls.
- Radio Begum operates under strict Taliban restrictions, avoiding politics, music, and laughter, focusing only on education, health, and religion.
- Despite facing raids and suspensions, Radio Begum continues to broadcast in most provinces, adapting to increasing Taliban restrictions.
- The station serves as a rare refuge for Afghan women to work together, as the Taliban has shut down many women-run businesses and spaces.
- Growing isolation under Taliban rule has led to rising suicide rates among Afghan women, according to the United Nations.
- Many girls, like 16-year-old Hafsa, rely on Radio Begum for education, as they are too afraid to attend secret schools due to Taliban threats.