Women Journalists: Four years of forced silence under Taliban rule

KABUL: Four years after the Taliban’s return, the profession of journalism for women in Afghanistan has become one of the most dangerous occupations. Gender restrictions, severe censorship, and ongoing threats have marginalized many, silencing their voices. Some women have lost their jobs, others have been forced to flee the country, and those who remain work under immense security and social pressure. With the Taliban’s resurgence, freedom of expression for female journalists has drastically diminished. They are not only barred from media centers and official meetings but are also dismissed by officials as “women,” leading to a refusal to respond to their inquiries. This has made access to information nearly impossible. In addition to censorship, women journalists face humiliation, threats, and arrests. Even in the few allowed gatherings, they are required to sit in the corners and cover their faces completely, or they must leave the meeting. Some women, after reaching out to officials for information, receive unprofessional responses, preventing them from reporting due to fear of repercussions. Statistics reveal that after the Taliban’s return, about 80% of female journalists have lost their jobs, and their representation in the media has dropped to less than 10%. According to the Afghan Journalists’ Center, instances of media freedom violations increased by 56% in the first half of 2025, with dozens of journalists being arrested or restricted. Despite these challenges, some women remain active; some report remotely for foreign media, while others secretly teach journalism. They believe that silence is not acceptance and hope for a day when a free and safe information environment will return to Afghanistan.