KUNDUZ - The first private radio station established by women in the northeastern region today started broadcasting a six-part United Nations radio series, Toward the Better Future.

The head of the Kunduz Culture and Information Department, Abdul Shakoor Doost, officially played the first installment of the series at 11am on Radio Zohra, the first of eight regional radios to play the programme.

The show – which focuses on agriculture and livestock – is one of six different topics which highlight the work being done by UN programmes and agencies in support of the Government of Afghanistan and the people in the region.

“The radio series also includes stories on education and youth, mothers and children health, refugees and returnees, economical empowerment of the women and national rural access program,” said Shamsuddin Hamedi, UNAMA Kunduz Public Information Officer, who assisted with the production and editorial content of the series.

The production of the show faced challenges stemming from traditional and cultural sensitivities, according to anchor and producer Zabihullah Majidi, but was completed on time and within budget.

The show’s official launch on Radio Zohra, an all women’s network, is in line with the UN’s goals of supporting women and women’s issues. Radio Zohra is part of a network of 23 state and private radios which are mostly run by women in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar.

The radio series launch was attended by local officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations, journalists and UNAMA staff.

The series will air every Saturday for the next two months, and repeated during the week.

By UNAMA Kunduz