Afghan journalists and media workers are experiencing a significant surge in restrictions and severity within the country, most of which are imposed by the Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Alongside censorship, new limitations have been imposed on the presence of women in media, their reporting style, appearance as well as the working conditions and content of their publications.
The Taliban continue to mandate a specific dress code for women in visual media, where only their eyes are allowed to be visible.
Given the Taliban’s stance at the Doha talks and their non-participation, it is evident that contrary to the desires of the global community, this group is intent on increasing restrictions on women’s activities in society and particularly in media.
The Advocacy Committee of Women Journalists of Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization stands alongside the international community in denouncing the Taliban’s authoritarian and oppressive treatment of Afghan female journalists, and demands an end to the imposition of restrictions on women journalists.
Understanding the significance of media activity in Afghanistan, the committee calls on the Taliban to bring to an end all violations of the human rights of women and girls, because the only group who will suffer from these restrictions are women of Afghanistan.
The Committee also calls upon international organizations and communities to stand firmly alongside active media and women and girls working in Afghanistan, and not allow freedom of expression and women’s human rights to be trampled anymore.
The Committee stands resolutely with courageous women journalists in Afghanistan and will continue to raise their voices effectively.
The Advocacy Committee for Women Journalists
The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization (AJSO)