Hamid Mohmand, Kabul Bureau Chief for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Afghan Service, has been honored by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for his contribution to raising awareness about children’s rights in Afghanistan.
The UNICEF Certificate of Appreciate recognizes Mohmand’s instrumental role in producing For Every Child, a radio program developed jointly with the organization. Launched one year ago, the 20-minute weekly broadcast has featured discussions on health and nutrition for children and mothers; education; gender equality and child marriage; sexual harassment and child abuse; the recruitment of child soldiers; and the government’s use of schools as military bases.
Programs feature representatives of UNICEF, the government, and local NGOs, and are aired in both the Pashto and Dari languages, providing audiences even in the country’s most remote regions with information on these subjects that is otherwise unavailable.
Commenting on the award, Hashem Mohmand, Director of the Afghan Service, known locally as Radio Azadi, told Pressroom, “Children in Afghanistan have been the worst victims of the nearly four-decade-long war. Together with UNICEF, Hamid has dedicated a lot of effort to putting together this popular and important show.”
A father of nine, Hamid Mohmand [no relation to Hashem Mohmand – ed.] is a passionate advocate for children’s rights. While advancing Radio Azadi’s mission in Afghanistan, the program, he says, provides him with a personal way to support the country’s children, and move them toward a brighter future.