KABUL - Media rights groups in Afghanistan have called for greater protection of female radio workers, whose number was rising until a few years ago before mounting threats against them forced many of them to give up their jobs.

“Women and girls working for media organizations, including in the radio, have been facing serious problems because some corners are busy in spreading negative propaganda against the activities of women in the media sector,” said the director of Afghanistan’s leading media watchdog ‘Nai,’ Siddiqullah Tawhidi.

Addressing an event organized to mark World Radio Day in the Afghan capital, Kabul, today, Mr. Tawhidi said since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 when there was only one radio station, Afghanistan now has nearly 200 radio stations with 185 of them being privately-run.

He however said the role of women in radio broadcasting has decreased in last few years. Mr. Tawhidi cited threats to female journalists from armed insurgents as the leading cause behind the drop in the number of women in the media sector.

Separately, in a statement, a network Afghan of journalists, the Afghanistan National Journalist Union (ANJU), said this year’s World Radio Day is being celebrated at a time when radio stations are facing “great difficulties” in Afghanistan.

“These radio stations, which enjoyed support of international organizations during the last decade, are facing great financial difficulties due to suspension of the assistance,” said the ANJU statement.

In his message on the Day, the Secretary-General of United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has called on all radio stations throughout the world to be more inclusive by equally recognizing women “in their staff and in their audience.”

“This year’s observance highlights the need for radio broadcasters everywhere to promote the voice of women and to enhance the role of women within broadcast organizations,” said the UN chief in his message.

The global theme of this year’s observance is “gender equality and women's empowerment in radio.”

Around the globe, 13 February is celebrated as World Radio Day to highlight the importance of radio as a medium to improve international cooperation between broadcasters and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.

At the request of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN General Assembly proclaimed 13 February as World Radio Day in December 2012.

The UN Secretary-General said that the World Radio Day recognized the unique role and impact of a medium that reaches the largest audience worldwide.

In Afghanistan, according to a survey conducted by The Asia Foundation, radio is the medium of receiving information and news for over 80 per cent of the people.