By Sana Elahi
Florence* has worked as a journalist for five years in Afghanistan – one of the few remaining professions still permitted to women under the Taliban regime. But the 27-year-old says increasingly strict policies in the workplace are forcing more women out.
In a recent incident, Florence laughed out loud with a colleague while on a work break. A Taliban representative inside her workplace – not named for security reasons – issued a warning to the pair that any repeat of such behavior would face serious consequences.
Florence and her colleagues feel the group is looking for excuses to remove women from media. Below, she shares what it’s like working in the sector and the extreme controls they abide by:
We are forced to follow the Taliban’s rules and are not allowed to speak out against them. Programs for women and men are completely separate, and no female presenter is allowed to host a program for a male audience.
Even in programs specifically for women, we are not allowed to laugh. We can smile behind a mask, but it must be done in a way that is not visible.
No body movements that could reveal the contours of the body, such as hand or head gestures, are allowed.
The employee management section now functions entirely like the morality police. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has a representative at every media outlet, and sometimes Taliban forces visit the office without prior notice to control everything.
They monitor whether female employees have laughed during programs or made movements that could show their hands raised. Media officials try to keep some women in the workforce, but the Taliban is constantly looking for any excuse to remove them.
The mental health of all female employees in the media is rapidly deteriorating. We are all under intense psychological pressure and have no hope for the future. Every day, we go to work with fear. Female presenters are always worried that they might accidentally say something against the Taliban.
My colleagues and I have a deep passion for journalism and working in the media. Most of us are passionate about continuing our work in this field and continue despite the serious risks. The media is one of the only places where women can still work. So if we lose this opportunity, we will have no place to work.
The employee management committee has told us that we must always wear long, dark, and preferably black clothing. Even during the hiring process, new employees are informed about the specific dress code they must follow.
We even inform program guests before inviting them that they must wear masks, long and loose clothing, and large scarves.
Wearing a mask is not always easy, but it becomes truly difficult in hot weather. There have been times when I had to wear a mask for five continuous hours, and by the end of the day, I’m experiencing shortness of breath.
Female journalists are not allowed to attend internal press conferences, and they can only travel to international conferences if accompanied by a male relative.
Before the Taliban’s rule, working in Afghanistan’s media had special significance. There was freedom of expression, and the media operated without restrictions. Journalists enjoyed both physical and mental security, had great enthusiasm and motivation for their work, and had the freedom to move around. However, now, the situation is completely the opposite.
Note*: Name is changed for security reasons.
