User:Wren25/sandbox

Zarghoona Hassan runs two radio programmes, Radio Shaista and Radio Kaihan, for women and young people in Afghanistan. She has defied many dangers in her quest to empower women; she was forced to flee the capital Kabul, where Radio Shaista was based, when a date for her execution was announced by the Taliban. She was accused of attempting to convert her listeners to Christianity, but states the Taliban’s anger was sparked by the station’s attempts to empower women and discussions about women’s rights.

Journalism in Afghanistan
Attacks on journalists have rocketed in recent years according to Human Rights Watch and dozens of female journalists have been intimidated into stopping working according to the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee. Afghanistan’s current president Ashraf Ghana has vowed to protect journalists from abuse and uphold freedom of expression. However, the Afghan government’s control and influence only extends to around 60 per cent of Afghanistan’s 407 districts. Even Kabul is unsafe and vulnerable to bombings or attacks. Still, women’s participation in journalism and media is growing and they’re using their position to empower other women, even if they have to risk their own lives. Many women want to work in the media but their families won’t let them.

Radio Shaista
When Radio Shaista was first founded women flocked to the radio to work and express themselves, even for free. However when the Taliban came closer in 2012 people’s attitudes changes.