Every new blockade in Afghanistan, “is a blow to morale,” says the founder of Radio Begum

It was two years ago, on August 15, 2021, that the Taliban swept into Kabul and seized control of Afghanistan, prompting an emergency evacuation of Westerners and Americans in particular. Since then, Taliban power has gradually restricted women’s rights. “These two years have been years of decline for womenAs the founder of Radio Begum, journalist Hamida Aman testifies, the radio created in 2021 has its slogan “by women and for women”.

>> statement. “The whole world needs to hear that the Taliban haven’t changed”: Afghan women protest two years after Kabul’s capture

franceinfo: How do you see these two years of turning Afghanistan upside down?

Hamida Aman: I would say those two years were down years for women. The Taliban initially came with peace and promises, but the promises were not fulfilled. And there women pelted rocks. We say that every six months, so I hope we hit the rock!

Two years ago you founded this radio station for women?

Very much. Radio Begum listeners are women working in NGOs, companies or private companies, students… many city dwellers in general, but women in the provinces also call us because our radio is widely broadcast in the provinces, even in the farthest reaches. They are the most isolated, the most forgotten and the most vulnerable. There is no one to check what is going on. You should know that in Afghanistan, there are no journalists with work visas, the embassies are almost closed, so there are no witnesses to what is happening. Inevitably, these women are more vulnerable than urban dwellers.

>> Afghanistan: “Radio Begum” continues to broadcast in face of Taliban’s desire to silence women

Many of your programs are devoted to the education of girls and women.

Yes, six hours of airtime are dedicated to education: three hours in Dari and three hours in Pashto. We teach everything possible. So, except science, all secondary courses and high school. We take care of health issues, nutrition for children, not only for them but also psychological support.

“The demand was so high that we had to double our daily air time devoted to psychological support.”

Hamida Aman, journalist and founder of Radio Begum

At franceinfo

You are going back to Afghanistan in a few days, Hamida Aman. In what mood?

Every time I go back there, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​After another decree, another ban, just like the women who work in beauty salons now, we lose our morale. These girls, they call us. We recently had Leela’s testimony when closing down hair salons. She worked in a hair salon in central Kabul for five years. He was the only working person in the family and that was the only family income. She cried out in despair: What will happen to me? For her, it was not only a job, but also a way of resistance. It was a way of life. Not only are we pushing people deeper and deeper into financial distress and poverty, but we are also robbing them of their only hope.

“For these women, the only hope is to leave Afghanistan and find a better life in a neighboring country.”

Hamita Aman

At franceinfo

Do you still have hope that the situation will improve for Afghan women?

I hope the situation will improve. By beating women, I hope this reign will end for a while, maybe think of something else, but it will take time. And at what cost? What will become of these women? How many people will die? How many young women will lose hope in the future? Their future is going to be ruined, I think it’s a situation that could last for another five, ten years. What will become of these women? The Taliban have all the time. We are dealing with a theocracy, so time is not a factor.