Afghan Women's Radio Station to Resume Operations after Taliban Enforced Suspension

• Afghan women’s radio station is resuming after being suspended by Taliban
• Taliban cited the station as ‘unauthorised provision’ of content
• The operations of Radio Begum will be restarted

In a recent announcement, it has been revealed that an Afghan women’s radio station is resuming after its operations was suspended by the Taliban, quoting it as ‘unauthorised provision’ of content for an overseas TV channel, using its licence improperly.

Radio Begum was launched in the year 2021, on the occasion of International Women’s Day in March which is 5 months earlier to Taliban’s power seize in the middle of a US and NATO troops’ chaotic withdrawal.

In addition, the content of the radio station is being produced by Afghan women solely. Begum TV, its sister satellite channel technically operates from France and broadcasts programmes, covering the Afghan school curriculum, starting from seventh to 12th grade. Since the Taliban has banned women and girls’ education in the country beyond grade six, the Information and Culture Ministry of Taliban gave a statement to Radio Begum, mentioning it had ‘repeatedly requested’ to resume the operations. Therefore, the suspensions were lifted after station made commitments to authorities.

The statement added, “The station pledged to conduct broadcasts “in accordance with the principles of journalism and the regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and to avoid any violations in the future.”

No elaboration was made by the ministry regarding the principles and regulations since Radio Begum was not immediately available for comment. The Taliban has excluded women from education, many kinds of work, and public spaces following their takeovers. Additionally, female journalists have also lost their employment because Taliban tightened their grip on the media.