Defying restrictions, female journalists return to work in Afghanistan's western region

HERAT -- After six months of staying at home, many female journalists have returned to work in Herat and Badghis provinces, ignoring the prevailing threats and restrictions against women.

In the aftermath of the fall of the previous government in August, Afghanistan's new rulers banned almost all female journalists in the western region from going to work.

Now, after six months of enforced idleness, some women are going back to work and overcoming their fears.

Fazila Salehi, 23, a news anchor and host of political programmes at Dunya-e-Naw private television station, said she recently returned to work after almost six months.

She said in returning to her profession and her passion, she felt as if she had been reborn and started a new life.

"I want to pursue my ambition," she said. "Journalists will neither bow to any restrictions nor would they allow anyone to create obstacles for their work."

"Despite knowing the consequences and the realities on the ground, I have decided to resume my work," she said. "I understand there are many restrictions imposed on female journalists, but these hurdles shall not overshadow female journalists' determination to continue working."

Most of her colleagues have suffered from psychological problems as a result of not working, and now is the time to leave their home and fight for their legitimate rights, she said.

More than 60 women used to work with various media agencies in Herat province before the collapse of the former government, according to Shamil Ahmad Mashal, chairman of the journalists' safety committee in the western region.

"As many as 27 woman journalists have returned to work over the past three weeks," he said on Monday (March 14).

"Many journalists have gone abroad in recent months," he said. "However, some others who stayed in Herat are eager to return to work in the coming weeks."

In Badghis province, 10 female journalists have returned to work, he said, adding that the only two remaining are expected to return very soon.

Upholding hard gains

Despite the risks and restrictions, many female journalists have returned to work because they regard women's representation in the media as one of the major achievements of Afghan women over the past two decades.

They say they are fighting to uphold these hard gains and will not allow their aspirations to be undermined.

Fatema Jafari, 21, a news manager for a private television station in Herat city, said she has returned to work after several months and will not let Afghan women's achievements be ignored.

Nothing can be achieved easily, she said, and women must fight and strive hard to accomplish their goals.

"The current difficulties are a test for Afghan women, and we must all fight and show our strength to the world," she said.

Staying silent is not the solution and fear should not overwhelm women, Jafari added.

"Women must not lose motivation or confine themselves at home. They must stand together and strive to make greater achievements."

No threat can prevent women from advancing further, said Sohila Yousufi, 25, who presents political programmes for a radio station in Qala-e-Naw, Badghis province.

"There are very strict restrictions on my activities; however, I shall not let these restrictions defeat me under any circumstances," she said.

If women and girls remain complacent amid the restrictions, they will be silenced and the world will never know the reality, Yousufi said.

"Woman journalists should return to work without any fear and not allow the achievements of the past two decades to be lost," she added.

Important role of media

Afghan women's presence in the media landscape and their contribution in raising public awareness have been extraordinary over the past two decades, but many of those gains were lost with the fall of the previous Afghan government.

As many as 2,000 female journalists lost their jobs and many of them had no choice but to leave Afghanistan, the Afghan Independent Journalists' Association reported in December.

Only some 400 female journalists continued to work in various media outlets across the country despite restrictions, the report said.

Female journalists play a crucial role in informing and educating families, said Nadia Sarwari, a civil society activist in Herat city.

"Most local media audience are in fact women because they are at home and are following the media," she said. "Women accept information from another woman more easily and effectively."

Women should not be denied the opportunity to work in the media under false religious pretexts, Sarwari said.

Women are allowed to work in media outlets in all Islamic countries and Afghanistan must follow suit and allow female journalists to continue their work and keep the society, especially women, informed, she said.

Afghan society must fight and overcome unwelcome traditions so that female journalists can work easily, said Sediqa Jamshidi, a journalist in Herat city.

"Some groups, unaware of Islamic values in the name of religion, commit a great deal of oppression of women and deprive them of their human and Islamic rights," she said.

The only way for women to overcome these restrictions and challenges is to stand united and fight for their rights, Jamshidi said.

"One way to fight these misleading beliefs and unwanted traditions is for women to raise their voice through the media and inform the public," she added.