Photo: Humaira hosts a roundtable in Mahal Radio in Logar Province. © UNESCO

Inside a radio studio in Logar Province, 22-year-old Humaira Hashimi adjusts her headphones as she prepares to host a live roundtable discussion.

She leads on-air conversations that bring women’s perspectives and community concerns to local audiences across the province, a professional breakthrough that, until recently, felt far beyond her reach.

Humaira graduated from the Faculty of Literature at Kabul University with an ambition to build a career in journalism. However, with the political changes, employment opportunities for women, particularly in the media, became severely restricted.

Humaira experienced prolonged unemployment and financial hardship. To support her family, she participated in a short-term vocational training programme in tailoring. While this provided some income, the earnings were minimal and insufficient to meet her household’s needs. In 2025, Humaira joined an STFA-funded capacity-building initiative providing hands-on practice in digital and citizen journalism, eventually producing multiple radio reports and roundtable discussions.

Her work was reviewed by the management of local broadcaster Mahal Radio and recognized for its quality, relevance, and professionalism. She was offered a full-time employment contract. Today, Humaira works as a journalist and radio producer. Her monthly salary has improved her household’s financial stability. “Working as a journalist was a long-held dream that has now come true. I am so grateful for the training received.” Humaira said, 

Humaira hopes that similar opportunities will continue for other young women in Logar Province and beyond. She aspires to mentor emerging female reporters so that more women can access professional training, meaningful employment, and a platform to share their voices.