Afghan Biographies

Azizi, Shafiqullah


Name Azizi, Shafiqullah
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth
Function/Grade Voice of Women Radio Broadcaster
History and Biodata

Shafiqullah Azizi, the owner of the Kabul-based broadcaster of an Afghan radio network dedicated solely to women says one of its regional stations has been shut down after he refused to pay bribes to officials. The local Voice of Women station in the northern province of Sar-e Pol was closed two weeks ago. Officials from the provincial Information and Cultural Affairs Department demanded he pay $400 in bribes a month to continue broadcasting. When he refused, Azizi said the department closed the station. Local officials have refuted his claims, insisting the station was closed because it lacked the proper permits. The network broadcasts daily 12-hour programs on women's issues in the Dari, Pashto, and Uzbek languages. Meanwhile the radio station reopened again. (20130804)

 


Background:

Afghan Women's Radio on Air

11-03-2003
Afghan Women's Radio on Air
Bumper sticker issued by the women's radio station in Kabul.
The Voice of Afghan Women, Kabul’s first radio station managed by women, is now officially on the air. The station, which broadcasts on a frequency of 91.6 MHz FM with a power of 600 watts, is operated by the "Voice of Afghan Women in Global Media" (VAWGM) a national NGO. It was established with funding support from UNESCO.
The station, based at the AINA Media Centre in Kabul, was officially inaugurated at a ceremony on International Women’s Day, the 8th March. Opening addresses were given by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Habiba Sarabi, the acting Minister of Information and Culture, . A. Mubarez, the President of the VAWGM, Jameela Mujahid, and UNESCO Kabul Director, Martin Hadlow.

The Voice of Afghan Women is on the air daily from 16:00hrs with a range of information, educational and entertainment programmes.

Last Modified 2013-08-04
Established 2013-08-04