On Tuesday, June 24, at 9:30 PM, SBS’s Dateline presents a report from Afghanistan, spotlighting the nation’s sole women-led radio station, Radio Begum. This station has become a crucial resource for girls who, under Taliban rule, cannot attend formal schools past the age of 12.
The report highlights how Radio Begum broadcasts educational programs, which then become vital lifelines for girls continuing their studies in secret schools. One part of the program gives us a direct look into such a clandestine school, set within a simple mud hut. Here, teenage girls gather around a portable radio, taking lessons led by a young teacher named Aina.
Since August 2021, when the Taliban assumed control, girls in Afghanistan have faced severe barriers to education. Radio Begum’s English teacher, Shalha Masoud, broadcasts these vital lessons, allowing learning to continue despite the restrictions.
This edition of Dateline brings attention to the significant challenges and ongoing perseverance of those working for educational equality in Afghanistan.
Tune in to SBS on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 9:30 PM.
