"Go home, you are a woman," Afghan journalist barred from working under Taliban rule

New Delhi : Soon after Taliban took over Afghanistan, a woman journalist shared her ordeal and said she had been barred from working at her TV station because she is a woman. Wearing a hijab and showing her press card, popular Afghan news anchor Shabnam Dawran can be seen pleading for help in a video doing rounds on social media.

“I didn’t give up after the change of system and went to attend my office, but unluckily I was not allowed despite showing my office card. The male employees, those with office cards were allowed to enter the office but I was told that I couldn’t continue my duty because the system has been changed. Those who are listening to me, if the world hears me, then please help us as our lives are under threat”, Dawran, who works in state-run news organisation RTA (Radio Television Afghanistan) Pashto pleaded in the video clip.

During their earlier regime from 1996-2001, the Taliban used to prevent women from getting education and do jobs or activities which included them stepping out.

They were forced to wear a burqa at all times when in public and forbidden from leaving home without a male ‘guardian’. If women broke certain rules, they were publicly whipped or executed.

Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesperson said, "Media will be allowed to criticize anyone, but character assassination won’t be tolerated. The courts will decide policy on punishments. Foreigners in the country can leave if they wish, but in case they want to stay they will have to register their presence with Taliban administrators."