KABUL - The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign that runs from 25 November, International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, through 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

This year’s theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World” highlighting the key roles women play in the family and as peacemakers and peacekeepers in war zones. In Afghanistan, support for women’s issues is one of the five priorities of the United Nations agencies and programmes.

Today’s story is authored by UNAMA

In one of the more conservative regions in Afghanistan, a woman’s voice is discussing early and forced marriages, self-immolation cases and the exchange of a woman to settle a criminal case. Radio Zohara is on the air.

The station is one of four women-run radios in the country - Voice of Afghan Women in Kabul, Radio Rabia Balkhi in Mazar-i-Sharif and Radio Sahar in Herat – and one of six in the region where women are the top boss of the newsrooms.

“I am sure that the women have a brighter future in Kunduz. I see their wide participation in the field of media,” said Radio Zohra’s director, Najeyah Khodayar.

Radio Zohra is on air for 15 hours a day with music and programmes including “Women and Society,” a popular show with young women who are invited to call in to the station.

“Radio Zahora gave me an identity and fame in society, and I am extremely happy to contribute
to the freedom and the peace process in my country,” said Samia, a newscaster at the radio.

Despite gaining a platform to address an audience within a 30 km radius, some women wear traditional burqas to work and get security threats.

“This radio is a trouble maker. Many women are now standing up and claiming their rights. This ends with violence and resentment in their families,” one Kunduz driver said.

Still, the medium is likely to get even bigger as employment opportunities for women are limited and the prestige of being heard increases. The local media union has 60 female journalists working from the region’s radios, television and print media.

“As the security situation in the province develops, the applicants increase,” said Lena Sultani, head of the Kunduz Local Media Union.

Educated women and healthy families are the foundation of a peaceful and progressive Afghanistan.