“They threw two grenades in my house. I have not gone to work since.”

We received an email from WUNRN, calling our attention to this article about women journalists in Afghanistan.  Yet again, we were reminded of what it can mean to be a woman in Afghanistan who transgresses certain rigid boundaries.  The article starts with the story of Khadija Ahadi, a once active and successful journalist in Herat.

“Some men threatened me because I am a reporter, but initially I kept working and I didn’t tell my family because they would have stopped me,” said Ahadi, 32. “Then one day they threw two grenades in my house. I have not gone to work since.’’

Although Herat is the most developed and secure province of Afghanistan after Kabul, very traditional views on the role of women in society persist. Women are struggling to make an appearance in public life.

Ahadi is not the only woman journalist with problems. Those who graduate from the journalism department of Herat University also face violent resistance when they start working. The situation is so bad that an increasing number of women reporters stay at home or change profession.

In response to situations just like this, MADRE has launched the Afghan Women’s Survival Fund, to help women threatened with violence to escape to safety.  The Fund supports an underground network of women dedicated to providing escape routes, shelter and secret transport to women who have been targeted by the Taliban or other extremists.  To find out how you can help us with this effort and spread the word, click here.