BAHARIN LEHIB

Kabul- Afghanistan, Vietnam and Russia are also among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists, according to a report released by the Reporters Without Borders in 2023. Farzane Ayoubi is one of the journalists struggling to survive since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Since she lost her job due to the restrictions of the Taliban and the financial conditions of the press outlet that she worked for, she has been working as a hawker selling clothes on the streets of Kabul.

‘I worked as a reporter for seven years’

“I worked as a reporter for seven years. I worked for press outlets such as newspapers, weekly magazines and private television channels. I faced many difficulties while doing journalism. I lost my job when the press outlet I worked for had financial problems. Now, I work as a hawker selling clothes on the streets to earn my living,” she told NuJINHA.

‘Women are confined to their homes’

Farzane Ayoubi spoke about the problems faced by journalists since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. “Many press outlets were closed down due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country. Women are not allowed to work as journalists. Women are not allowed to work, all women are confined to their homes.”

 ‘Not only women journalists but also all women lost their jobs’

Farzane Ayoubi feels unsafe while selling clothes on the streets. “The situation for Afghan women is very critical. Not only women journalists but also all women lost their jobs. Most of them are the only breadwinners of their families. Selling secondhand clothes is very hard. Their prices are about 20,30 or 100 Afghan Afghani; however, people cannot buy them. For days, I have not sold anything. In the current situation, I cannot do anything but shed tears while other women talk about what they face.”

 Calling on other countries to support Afghan women, Farzane Ayoubi demands a suitable environment be created for Afghan women to get their jobs back.