Begum Organization for Women

In the context of systematic violations of Afghan women’s rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decided on October 4, 2024, that refugee status could be granted to Afghan women based solely on their sex and nationality. This ruling, following the rejection of a protection request in Austria, marks a turning point in recognizing the systematic persecution of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime and their right to protection in Europe.

However, the realities on the ground remain alarming. The Taliban authorities have imposed a ban on women pursuing medical studies, effectively excluding them from midwifery, nursing, and medical schools. The impact is twofold: not only does this ban reduce educational opportunities for women, but it also threatens the quality of healthcare in Afghanistan. Women play a crucial role, especially in a context where maternal mortality rates are already among the highest in the world. Without the ability to pursue medical studies, Afghan women are excluded from a vital sector, further exacerbating systemic inequalities and healthcare challenges in the country.

Our latest advances

Fundraising Event at the Palais de la Femme

On November 6, a fundraising evening was held at the Palais de la Femme, a renowned place of solidarity and commitment. Co-hosted by Alexia Laroche-Joubert and Redouane Bougheraba, the event was marked by powerful moments celebrating the struggle of Afghan women against the daily oppressions they face. Through inspiring artistic performances organized by Zolaykha Shezad of Zarif Design and the engaged contributions of personalities such as Sophia Aram, Patrick Cohen, Julie Gayet, Isabelle Rome, Leïla Slimani, Nolwenn Leroy, and many others, the evening helped raise awareness and mobilize a wide audience.

Thanks to this exceptional mobilization, we were able to gather essential funds to continue our work for Afghan women. We warmly thank all the participants, speakers, and donors for their invaluable support

Live streaming launch on Begum TV

Since November 29, Begum TV is now available live on our website, thereby expanding our reach to a new platform. You can access the live broadcast here.

Our goal is to reach as many households in Afghanistan as possible, especially those without access to satellite TV but with internet connectivity. With this new development, we go beyond Afghanistan and neighboring regions, now offering the entire world the opportunity to follow Begum TV and its diverse programs.

Development of a nutrition training program

In collaboration with Ascend Athletics, we have developed nutrition training videos. Ascend, recognized for its expertise and leadership-focused approach, provides practical knowledge and professional support. Our team handles the entire production, ensuring the content is not only informative but also accessible, engaging, and relevant for Afghan women.

These nutrition training sessions are essential for strengthening the physical and mental health of women, empowering them, and enhancing their professional skills. They contribute to improving their quality of life and opening employment and leadership opportunities.

Exams from Begum Academy and university access opportunities

The Begum Academy exams took place from November 21 to December 5 for grades 5 through 12, conducted in Dari and Pashto. Our teachers have diligently prepared the exams and are now finalizing the transmission of grade reports to students. To support those who did not achieve the desired results or missed the mid-term exams, make-up sessions will be organized soon. These assessments will provide Begum Academy students with a new opportunity for success.

Additionally, the top 20 performing students from Begum Academy were given the chance to join the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) program as part of our partnership. This program offers our students the opportunity to continue their studies in a university setting and benefit from personal and academic development opportunities, further strengthening our commitment to their long-term success.

In recent weeks, Begum has received invaluable support from various quarters, reflecting the growing interest in our programs and the solidarity toward our missions.

The Soroptimists warmly welcomed us for a presentation of our initiatives in education and the empowerment of Afghan women. Following this exchange, the association generously donated to support our efforts.
The collective Les Jean Farine organized an event dedicated to our projects, highlighting our actions while raising essential funds to strengthen them.
The Lycée Louis Thuillier in Amiens mobilized by establishing a project to raise awareness and support for Afghan women through our programs. Before starting, students and their teachers visited our offices in Paris, met our teams, and attended a presentation of our work.
The Collège Centre de Gap held a cross-country event in support of Begum TV, where participating students sought sponsors who made donations based on their distance covered.

These acts of generosity and solidarity encourage us to continue our mission with renewed determination. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports Begum.

Next steps

Expand access to education in Afghanistan

As part of our mission to make education accessible to all girls in Afghanistan, we have initiated a partnership strategy with NGOs operating schools on the ground. Our first partnership with the NGO Nayestane has enabled approximately 3,000 students to benefit from our educational videos. Building on this success, we have formed a new partnership with a new underground school, providing access to our educational content for nearly 500 additional students.

We continue to actively seek new partnerships to further expand our reach and support more young girls in Afghanistan. Additionally, we aim to extend our support to young people with disabilities. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to providing quality education to everyone.

Playmobil at the service of health education on Begum TV

Following the recent bans on the representation of living beings, we have taken the initiative to innovate in our programs on Begum TV while adhering to the new regulations. We are currently developing a TV series featuring Playmobil characters to disseminate information on health education. Composed of 52 episodes, each lasting 26 minutes, this series helps navigate the restrictions while providing quality, engaging, and accessible educational content for all in Afghanistan.

Seeking solutions to overcome limited internet access in Afghanistan

Access to a stable Internet connection remains one of the main obstacles to education in Afghanistan. This instability greatly complicates the regular viewing of our educational videos. Aware of this challenge, we are actively working on developing appropriate solutions.

Among them, our upcoming mobile application will offer the ability to download videos for offline access. Additionally, we are currently collaborating with the association ED4Free, which designs box and SD card solutions that act as autonomous Wi-Fi networks, enabling users to connect and access content offline. All of our videos will be integrated into these devices, allowing us to conduct a pilot test before considering a larger-scale deployment in Afghanistan. This innovative approach represents a significant step toward overcoming the challenges posed by the lack of connectivity, bringing education closer to young girls.

Strengthening the economic empowerment of Afghan women

Faced with an alarming poverty rate, with 48% of the population living below the poverty line, and a particularly high prevalence among women, we have decided to develop financial literacy and small business development programs specifically aimed at often undereducated Afghan women. These courses, recorded in Dari and Pashto, aim to teach the fundamentals and best practices in business management and financial decision-making to micro-entrepreneurs.

To strengthen these programs, we will produce a two-season series that will follow the journeys of 24 women. Each season will document their path, from conception to implementation and growth of their business projects. At the end of each season, financial support in the form of scholarships will be awarded to the participants, providing essential material support to ensure their entrepreneurial success.

I am Saba Chaman. I was the Director of Radio Begum until August 2024. The name of Radio Begum arises feeling of hope in me.

I was just a teenager when I returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, where I had grown up as a refugee. Leaving behind that instability, I dreamed of Afghanistan as a country of safety and opportunity, where I could finally live as a citizen, not an outsider.

I found out that the Afghanistan of those days was a paradox—simultaneously a country of possibilities and a city of shadows. I encountered women breaking barriers, from riding motorcycles in remote provinces to holding high-ranking positions in government. Optimism seemed to be on the rise, and I, like many others, believed in a brighter future where democracy and equality could prevail.

Yet, beneath the surface, Afghanistan carried its wounds. Many women faced immense pressure from their families to marry rather than complete their education. For women, every step toward progress came with an exhausting battle. Even so, we clung to hope and an unshakable spirit.

Then, Taliban’s return—was a blow that shattered the fragile progress we had painstakingly built. The Afghanistan I loved and the dreams we had nurtured seemed to vanish overnight. It felt like an erasure, an undoing of everything we had fought for.

Today, as I reflect from the safety of France, my heart aches for the women of my country.

But we have strong women both inside and outside the country, not giving up and fighting for their rights, holding to the last sparks in the ashes of our dreams. Through my work with Radio Begum, I feel proud to be able to contribute to the fight of Afghan women, believing that no force can truly silence them.

In my moments of longing for Kabul, I am reminded of Ramin Mazhar’s poignant words about the refugee’s plight:

در بیک کوچک می‌گذارم گریه‌هایم را

کفر خودم، تردیدهایم را، خدایم را

چاقوی خونین رفاقت، ناسپاسی را

آواز احمد ظاهر و قهار عاصی را

دنیای خود را می‌برم اما...

نخواهد شد، کابل درون بیک کوچک جا نخواهد شد

“I place my tears in a small bag, My disbelief, my doubts, my God.”

“The bloody knife of friendship, ingratitude, the voices of Ahmad Zahir and Qahar Asey.”

"I take my world with me, but… it won't happen, Kabul won’t fit inside a small bag."

Kabul may not fit inside a bag, but it lives within me—in every word I speak, every story I tell, and every hope I carry for a future where Afghan women reclaim their voices and their power.

News - January 2025

Our latest advances

Fundraising Event at the Palais de la Femme

Live streaming launch on Begum TV

Development of a nutrition training program

Exams from Begum Academy and university access opportunities

Various support events for the benefit of Afghan women

Next steps

Expand access to education in Afghanistan

Playmobil at the service of health education on Begum TV

Seeking solutions to overcome limited internet access in Afghanistan

Strengthening the economic empowerment of Afghan women

Portrait of a Begum

Saba Chaman - Former General Director of Begum in Afghanistan

News - January 2025

Our latest advances

Fundraising Event at the Palais de la Femme

Live streaming launch on Begum TV

Development of a nutrition training program

Exams from Begum Academy and university access opportunities

Various support events for the benefit of Afghan women

Next steps

Expand access to education in Afghanistan

Playmobil at the service of health education on Begum TV

Seeking solutions to overcome limited internet access in Afghanistan

Strengthening the economic empowerment of Afghan women

Portrait of a Begum

Saba Chaman - Former General Director of Begum in Afghanistan

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