Every morning after breakfast, Afghan teenager Prina Muradi tunes into Begum TV, a lifeline for Afghan girls education. Instead of watching movies or cartoons, she studies math, science, and literature through the satellite channel broadcasting from France. This has been her only means of continuing education since the Taliban barred girls from secondary schools in 2021, effectively shutting down Afghan girls’ education across the country.
At 16, Prina Muradi is now racing against time to catch up on her studies. “I’ve regained hope,” she said from her home in Kabul. “This is a battle against ignorance.” For Prina Muradi and thousands of other Afghan girls, Begum TV has emerged as a critical resource, offering access to the Afghan curriculum through satellite broadcasts. This initiative is a lifeline for those shut out of school, ensuring that Afghan girls’ education is not entirely lost.
Since 2021, the Taliban’s policies have barred 1.4 million girls from accessing education, according to UNESCO. The restrictions extend to university education and most jobs for women, further diminishing opportunities for Afghan girls and women. Despite these challenges, platforms like Begum TV offer hope, allowing Afghan girls’ education to continue through innovative means. For Prina Muradi, this opportunity to learn from home means everything, as she remains determined to pursue her dreams.
Begum TV was launched by Swiss-Afghan media entrepreneur Hamida Aman, founder of the Begum Organization for Women (BOW). This non-profit supports women and girls in Afghanistan, where formal education for girls has been heavily restricted under the Taliban regime. The channel broadcasts the entire Afghan secondary school curriculum in both Dari and Pashto, the country’s official languages, reaching girls who have no internet access—a significant barrier to Afghan girls’ education.
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“We’re not here to interfere in politics or challenge the regime,” said Aman. “Our mission is simple: to help our sisters in their daily struggles and support Afghan girls’ education.” Aman’s efforts are fueled by the belief that despite the Taliban’s restrictions, girls can still achieve their academic goals through alternative methods like satellite TV.
