Following a two-day meeting in Kabul organized by the Salam Watandar Radio Network, Afghan women broadcasters who manage women-focused radio stations across the country agreed to work collaboratively to produce improved programming for women, which will highlight voices throughout Afghanistan’s provinces. The broadcasters also met with USAID and U.S. Embassy representatives at the gathering, which provided a chance for women broadcasters to tell their stories and elaborate on continued challenges and future opportunities.

One of the new productions will be a monthly telephone link-up with women from different provinces to discuss old traditions, such as the use of women to settle debts. Another program will be a collection of women’s life stories from across Afghanistan. Other programs will focus on health, and art and culture.

Participants also discussed primary concerns, including ways to lessen threats to their safety and to the security of their stations. These women, who lead radio stations in some of the most complex and dangerous communities in Afghanistan, often receive threats to their personal security and have endured violent attacks on their stations, and damaging property.

Despite these threats, they were committed to working with their communities to continue broadcasting programs for all members of their community. “I have received many threats. But if I leave the radio, others will follow. We must stand up for our rights and continue to work,” said one of the participants. Added another, “People have to see that we respect Islamic values, culture, and traditions. We provide a public service and talk about women’s rights according to Islam.”

2011.12.12 Press Release Women Broadcasters (English)