The Taliban announced the shut down of the women-run radio station “Women’s Voice” for allegedly broadcasting music during Ramadan. “Women around the world and in Turkey need to support us,” says Najia Sroosh, the station’s editor-in-chief.
According to the Afghanistan news agency Hama Press, Moezuddin Ahmadi, the director for Information and Culture in Badakhshan province, said the station violated the “laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate” several times by broadcasting songs and music during Ramadan and was shuttered because of the breach.
Dada-e Banowan, which means ‘women’s voice’ in Dari, is Afghanistan’s only radio station run by women. It has eight employees, six of whom are women.
Speaking to Bianet, the editor-in-chief of the radio said: “We opened Radio Dada-e Banowan in 2015. Until today, we have been broadcasting with 6 female and 2 male employees. The purpose of opening the radio is to support women journalists, to make women’s voices heard and to inform them about their rights.”
Shirzad rejected allegations that they broadcast music during Ramadan and violated Taliban broadcasting policy. Shirzad attributed the Taliban’s decision to shut down the radio station to its recent broadcast of programmes on girls’ education.
We expect support from Turkey and the world
Noting that they have not received any support from international journalist organisations and institutions so far, Sroosh said, “Unfortunately, there is no solidarity. I have been working for 15 years. Nobody or no organization helped me until now. Nobody asked what we need. Nobody tried to help us to start the radio again. Those who contact only ask us why the radio was closed. Women in Turkey and the world have to support the women in Afghanistan in every way. They need to support the women working in Afghanistan so that they will be able to solve their problems even if to an extent.”
Despite many difficulties, the radio station has been continuing its activities with female employees working from home since the last year.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, they have imposed severe restrictions on the media and the press. They have barred women from most forms of employment and education beyond the sixth grade, including university.
Speaking to The Independent, the staff member of the raid said her crew was tired of seeking the Taliban’s permission to speak about the basic rights of women in Afghanistan.
She said she was ready to “fight” to save the radio station’s existence, even if it meant being punished.
Sources: Bianet, Independent, NPR