Afghan Female Journalists Face Severe Restrictions Under Taliban Rule

Afghan Female Journalists Face Severe Restrictions Under Taliban Rule
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Recent reports by Afghan media support organizations and the Committee to Protect Journalists highlight growing pressures on female journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control. The reports reveal that women in the media face direct threats, coercion, and strict censorship, forcing many to alter or remove content from their reports.

Restrictions include mandatory face coverings during broadcasts, prohibitions on appearing alongside male colleagues, bans on speaking at press conferences, and limitations on participation in professional meetings. These measures are enforced even within media outlets that officially comply with Taliban policies.

Statistics indicate that over 55% of female journalists have faced threats due to their work, 32% have been forced to operate clandestinely, and 92% practice self-censorship. The pressures have led 24% of women journalists to leave their jobs. Broader measures affect all journalists, with reports requiring prior review and independent media subjected to intense scrutiny, leaving mainly commercial outlets active while others are forced to relocate or flee.

The situation underscores a continued decline in press freedom, particularly for women. Mandatory hijab, heavy surveillance, limited access to resources, and prohibitions on interviewing men reflect the Taliban’s effort to silence female voices and consolidate control over Afghanistan’s media landscape.