A tiny television studio in Paris serves as the hub for Begum TV, a satellite channel reaching women across Afghanistan with 24/7 programming. The channel provides education and entertainment to girls banned from schools, tackling women’s rights issues, mental health, and more.
Launched on International Women’s Day in March, Begum TV offers school classes and evening programs addressing women’s rights and medical issues. The channel’s Afghan-born founder, Hamida Aman, aims to provide hope through television, as education and work opportunities have dwindled for women since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Begum TV journalists and presenters are all Afghan women who fled the country after seeking asylum in France. Despite facing pressure and bans on various forms of media, the channel has continued to broadcast health-focused programming and school classes, reaching an estimated 6 million listeners through its radio program, Radio Begum.
The channel’s sister website offers over 8,500 videos covering the national school curriculum, providing families with internet connections another resource for girls to continue studying. Founder Hamida Aman sees Begum TV as a means of safeguarding women’s rights and rekindling hope for a brighter future in Afghanistan.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/12/its-a-continuation-of-hope-paris-based-tv-station-provides-a-lifeline-for-women-in-afghanistan