“We hope for a brighter future and intend to continue our fight with a pen and paper”

Janan

Journalist, Kabul

A woman wearing headphones speaks on a red radio microphone.

“I’m 24 years old, and I graduated from the Journalism Department of Kabul University.

While still a student, I began my career as a journalist at a local radio station. A year later, when the Taliban came to power, freedom of expression was suppressed, and the field of journalism faced challenges and restrictions. The situation for female journalists became difficult as the Taliban dissolved all agencies where women were employed and dismissed all women employed in government institutions.

Despite these limitations, I managed to secure a position at a television channel. Nevertheless, I faced numerous challenges.

One day, as I was heading to work, instead of wearing the black veil [covering my face], I opted to cover my face with a face mask. I arrived at the office and worked throughout the day. At the end of the workday, when I, along with some male colleagues, boarded a vehicle to head home, I sat in the front seat, as I am a girl. I left the back seats for my two male colleagues. As we approached a Taliban checkpoint, I felt afraid that they might ask me to step out of the vehicle, since I lacked a mahram (male escort).

When we reached the neighbourhood close to my home, an unidentified man with a long beard hastily entered our vehicle. He bombarded me with questions, questioning why I didn’t adhere to the veil requirements and asking about my origin. I was shocked and remained silent. Despite wearing my veil, my face was uncovered due to my facemask.

The man threatened me, saying: ‘If I see you in this condition again, you have no right to complain’, and ‘we have control over you journalists’.

Another day, as I left the office for news coverage, employees of the morality police forced me to step out of the vehicle. They brandished their weapons, saying, ‘Get in the front seat. Why are you sitting in the back?’

I hope these dark days come to an end soon, and a day will come when the voice of Afghan girls won’t be silenced. I wish that they will be able to speak loudly about their desires, dreams and goals. That their opinions will be respected, and that they will have the right to express themselves and reclaim their rights from these oppressors. The Taliban have suppressed freedom of expression and media freedom. Female journalists are not allowed in many conferences. Despite these challenges, we hope for a brighter future and intend to continue our fight with a pen and paper.

We call on the international community to collaborate in the field of women journalists’ rights, putting pressure on the Taliban and preventing the deprivation of our right to freedom of expression.”

“In the blink of an eye, I went from the throne to the ground”

A woman stands, draped in a black lace veil.