At a time when women were already prohibited from attending schools and universities, Radio Femme played a crucial role in offering alternative methods of education.
It provides a rare platform for women and girls to learn and continue their education, with eight teachers providing lessons in subjects ranging from mathematics to science.
But on September 30, without immediate explanation, the ruling Taliban authorities cut off the Internet and telephone networks throughout Afghanistan, thus depriving Radio Femme of its broadcasts.
A UN Women team assesses the damage caused by the earthquake in Nurgal, one of the worst-hit districts in Kunar province in northeastern Afghanistan. .
The temporary closure of the radio station is just one small example of how women have been affected by the nationwide internet outage.
This power outage, combined with the consequences of an earthquake in the east of the country, a persistent drought in the north and the return of millions of refugees expelled from neighboring countries, have made the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan increasingly difficult.
“This is another crisis on top of the existing crisis. It is completely unnecessary for this type of interruption to occur, and the impact will be felt on the lives of the Afghan people,” said Arafat Jamal, country representative of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UN Refugee Agency).UNHCR).
Why the Internet is so vital for women
In an interview with UN Womenwomen like Sama explained how the internet provides a rare space to work, start small businesses and sell products.
“Thanks to my online store, I made myself known,” she says. “I earn money, solve my financial problems and become self-sufficient.”
Yet when the power outage hit, Sama lost her only source of income overnight, like many other women. In Afghanistan, the impact of internet and phone outages is hitting women and girls hardest, UN Women reported.
“It eliminates what is, for many, a final way to learn, earn and connect.”
Even though internet access was largely restored across Afghanistan, the message was clear: this valuable gateway to learning, expression and services for women and girls could be shut down at any time – a stark reminder that digital space is not neutral, according to UN Women.
Women’s education, mental health and livelihoods are all at stake, the agency said.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
