Afghanistan’s only specialized radio station for women, Radio Begum, is set to resume broadcasting. The Taliban government’s Ministry of Information and Culture has granted permission for its operations to restart after the station pledged to follow certain conditions.
According to a report by Arab News on Sunday (February 23), Radio Begum originally launched on International Women’s Day in 2011, primarily airing educational and health-related programs for women. After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the station continued broadcasting for five months but was later shut down by the government. The closure was due to allegations of “unauthorized content distribution to foreign television channels” and “misuse of its broadcasting license.”
On Saturday night (February 22), the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture issued a statement confirming that Radio Begum had repeatedly applied for permission to resume its services. The station has now assured authorities that its operations will strictly follow “journalistic ethics and the regulations of the Islamic Emirate.” As a result, the broadcasting ban has been lifted.
However, the specific regulations and conditions imposed by the Taliban government remain unclear.
Recognized as Afghanistan’s most significant women-centric media platform, Radio Begum focuses on health, education, and social awareness programs for women. With its return, Afghan women will once again have access to valuable information and educational content, opening new avenues for awareness and empowerment.