(Kabul, Afghanistan - March 7, 2009) - Radio Free Afghanistan (RFA) reporter Hassiba Shahid was one of 30 female journalists recognized by the Afghan National Journalists Union for outstanding work under very adverse conditions.
"Reporting in Afghanistan dangerous for everyone, but the risk to female reporters is particularly acute," said RFA Director Akbar Ayazi. "The work of women like Hassiba is doubly beneficial to the state of Afghanistan. She and her female colleagues are putting old stereotypes to rest and, through their reporting, enriching the lives of Afghanis everywhere."
The National Union of Journalists sponsors the annual award
The annual ceremony, held for the fifth consecutive year, coincided with the celebration of International Women's Day, and was attended by members of the Afghan National Parliament and other high-ranking government officials, including the Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs, Mawlawi Seiddiq Muslem.
The Afghan National Journalists Union is one of the most influential non-governmental groups in the country, claiming 7000 members throughout Afghanistan. The group was widely credited with securing the release of Dawa Khan Meenapal, a reporter for RFA who was abducted by the Taliban in November 2008.
About RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
RFA (Radio Azadi) maintains a bureau in Kabul and an extensive network of reporters throughout Afghanistan. It broadcasts 12 hours per day in Dari and Pashto reaching 5 million people weekly, making Radio Azadi the most popular radio station in the country.
"Reporting in Afghanistan dangerous for everyone, but the risk to female reporters is particularly acute," said RFA Director Akbar Ayazi. "The work of women like Hassiba is doubly beneficial to the state of Afghanistan. She and her female colleagues are putting old stereotypes to rest and, through their reporting, enriching the lives of Afghanis everywhere."
The annual ceremony, held for the fifth consecutive year, coincided with the celebration of International Women's Day, and was attended by members of the Afghan National Parliament and other high-ranking government officials, including the Deputy Minister for Women's Affairs, Mawlawi Seiddiq Muslem.
The Afghan National Journalists Union is one of the most influential non-governmental groups in the country, claiming 7000 members throughout Afghanistan. The group was widely credited with securing the release of Dawa Khan Meenapal, a reporter for RFA who was abducted by the Taliban in November 2008.
About RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
RFA (Radio Azadi) maintains a bureau in Kabul and an extensive network of reporters throughout Afghanistan. It broadcasts 12 hours per day in Dari and Pashto reaching 5 million people weekly, making Radio Azadi the most popular radio station in the country.