Afghanistan: CFWIJ is extremely concerned about women journalists’ safety

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September 8, 2021, Kabul – A woman journalist was beaten and her equipment was broken by the Taliban forces while covering the women’s demonstrators at Dasht-e-Barchi. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is extremely alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country. We urge the Taliban leadership to allow women journalists and all-female employees to continue their work. 

The independent woman journalist M. H. was beaten by the Taliban forces while covering women’s protest against the formation of an all-male interim Taliban government to rule the country. 

On September 8, dozens of women gathered to protest the all-male interim Taliban cabinet and said they are not accepting a new government with no female minister. The uprising of women is spread across Afghanistan. Afghan women are raising their voices fearlessly with the new administration. 

The journalist, who went to cover women demonstrators in Kabul, was forcefully restricted from the Dasht-e-Barchi area while filming the protest. The journalist was beaten and flogged several times at the beginning of the protest then her camera was pulled from the neck and thrown to the ground. She fainted from the pain afterwards.

“I fainted from the pain of being severely flogged”

CFWIJ’s Ceren İskit spoke with the journalist. She said, “I fainted from the pain of being severely flogged until people gave me water.” When she came to herself, the Taliban was dispersing women to prevent them from demonstrating. The journalist, who wanted us to use only her initials due to security concerns, said that having a camera is a challenge for a journalist because of the low income in the country. “I do not complain much about flogging but I regret breaking my camera. It will never be in my hands like other journalists,” she added.

 “Press freedom has been taken away from journalists and the media”

Stating about the freedom of expression in Afghanistan, the journalist said, “In the last two decades, freedom of expression was considered one of the greatest achievements, but with the advent of the Islamic Emirate government, this freedom has been taken away from journalists and the media.”

The journalist also highlighted the current situation for journalists in the country. She underlined that the newsrooms and journalists are in their worst position ever. The violence of the Taliban against journalists spread to the whole country and reached the worst situation. 

 “Today, women are not the women of 20 years ago”

When CFWIJ asked about the women’s uprising in the whole country, the journalist said, “Women are calling on the Taliban to include women in society just like men.” “You cannot forcefully forget the achievements of women over the last twenty years. The unprecedented mobilization of women shows that no force can stand up to their rights,” she continued. 

 “The historical uprising and women empowerment, who no longer want to forget their basic rights and the achievements over the past two decades, is a good step and a courageous struggle. Because today, women are not the women of 20 years ago. Women do not want to lose the values and achievements they have reached out with so many sacrifices.” she told CFWIJ.

The escalating attacks against journalists put them in a difficult position in Afghanistan. Even though she was wounded once in the field and was shot one more time close to her apartment, the journalist said that she feels more under threat these days. Because of the current political climate, “We journalists do not feel good day and night,” she also quoted CFWIJ.

M.H. is an independent journalist who used to work for international newsrooms. She was a reporter at the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) two years ago.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism applauds women who are bravely going to the streets to raise their voices for their rights. However, we are extremely alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country. We urge the Taliban leadership to allow journalists and all women employees to continue their work. 

The CFWIJ has extensively reported the threats and violations against women journalists in recent months. We have been following the latest developments and are assisting women journalists and human rights workers seeking refuge.