Radio lessons in Afghanistan - 5th January 2022

This is Radio Begum in Afghanistan. It's a radio station for women. And women make its programmes.

The Taliban now control Afghanistan. Women have lots of problems. But Radio Begum continues.

Radio Begum started on International Women's Day, 2021. The station has education shows, book readings and phone-in shows. These all help to educate women.

Hamida Aman started Radio Begum. She thinks it will continue.

Hamida Aman: "For me, the radio was very obvious, the obvious solution, because it's just a voice, there is no image and it was a fully dedicated radio for woman. And, in my belief, I thought that Taliban wouldn't forbid this kind of approach because it's, it's a, it's a, it's a public service for woman mostly."

The Taliban made some changes to Radio Begum. Men and women can't work together. And it can't play pop music. It has to play traditional songs.

But people come to the station for lessons every day.

Mursal thinks the classes are important.

Mursal: "My message to everyone is that they should listen to our programme carefully. And those who are not going to school must make use of this golden opportunity because they might not have this chance again."

Radio Begum gives women a way to communicate. Women can share their thoughts.

The Taliban stops girls going to school. But girls can learn something from Radio Begum programmes.

Hamida Aman: "This radio it's the space to receive all they, they fears, they impressions, they feelings, they, they stories. And also it a way for them to raise they voice at least if outside everything is locked for them, and they are locked inside. At least they can contact at through telephone, through any different way to, and to listen to us."