Protect Journalists Under Threat in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, hundreds of women journalists continue to work amidst severe restrictions and despite significant risks such as arrest, surveillance, harassment, and injury. Internews is committed to amplifying these women's voices, strengthening Afghanistan's media landscape, and ensuring their safety and security in their crucial work.

Part of this work involves fostering a new generation of skilled women journalists and reporters. Currently, we're supporting a longstanding partner to facilitate training for a group of female interns, including extensive training in report writing, news presentation, event coverage, translation techniques, and studio equipment usage.  

Throughout their internships, each intern has embraced varied roles tailored to their strengths and expertise. From contributing to the news segments in Dari and Pashto languages to managing social media accounts and operations, including handling live and recorded programs and scheduling, their involvement has been instrumental. The interns seamlessly translated their acquired skills into tangible outcomes, writing news reports for our partner’s website, posting 100 updates across Dari, Pashto, and English social media accounts to engage the audience, and facilitating radio studio operations and radio content production. Editors have noted their growing proficiency and versatility in every aspect of their work.

Despite the current challenges and pressures faced by journalists in Afghanistan, especially women, these interns have demonstrated remarkable progress and unwavering dedication to broadening their skills and capabilities. Their work makes us hopeful for the colorful future of Afghanistan’s media sector—one that is both built by and for women. 

Internews has been in Afghanistan for two decades, working alongside Afghan journalists, media entrepreneurs, and technologists as they fostered a media sector that, at its height, employed thousands of women, reached every province, and became one of the most trusted institutions in the country. We sincerely thank you for your donations, on behalf of our organization and the journalists serving their communities around the world. It wouldn’t be possible without you.