KABUL - The Afghan Women Journalists' Union (AWJU) held its first general congress in Kabul and elected the members of its high council. They also approved the bylaw of the union with mutual consensus.

In addition to protecting the rights of women journalists in Afghanistan, the union also organizes training workshops to build professional capacities of women journalists and undertakes different activities for women’s rights.

“Our aim is to create opportunities for women journalists to build their capacity in Afghanistan and abroad,” said Shafiqa Habibi, the Head of AWJU.

Speaking at the congress, the Deputy Minister for Women Affairs, Sayda Muzghan Mustafawi urged women to possess active roles in various life spheres. 

“We want our sisters to have an active presence in the media sector by upholding the values of Afghan culture and Islam,” said Mrs. Mustafawi.

She called upon media organizations to incorporate women in their leadership and decision making instead of only using them as symbols of beauty for their programmes.

Mrs. Mustafawi also expressed the hope that media organizations would reflect current issues concerning women in their programmes as well as focus on their potential.

Although the union was established in 2005, its formal announcement came out in 2011. Currently, AWJU has 200 members throughout the country mainly in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz, Takhar and Herat.