On Feb. 4, Taliban enforcers raided Kabul’s sole women-led radio network, Radio Begum, in Afghanistan. Radio Begum was first established in Afghanistan’s capital in 2021 by the Begum Organization for Women (BOW) and sought to offer education to Afghan women by providing programs of health, psychology, and spirituality in an effort to become a catalyst for change and empowerment. The current regime only allows women’s education until sixth grade.
The shutdown was verified by the ministry on the grounds of violation of its permit and providing content to international outlets.
“This decision comes after several violations, including the unauthorised provision of content and programming to a foreign-based television channel.”
This statement came with no further comment on whether the station would resume its six-hour-a-day schooling.
Last year, women’s voices were also banned in public, a regulation that created further obstacles for Radio Begum.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for an immediate reinstitution of the station, recalling that in 2024 the Taliban terminated at least 12 media networks. In the 2024 RSF press freedom index, Afghanistan ranked 178 out of 180 countries.
