Kabul: An Afghan women’s radio station, Radio Begum, will soon resume broadcasting after the Taliban lifted its suspension, which had been imposed over alleged cooperation with an overseas TV channel.

Launched on International Women’s Day in March 2021, just five months before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Radio Begum is entirely run by Afghan women. Its sister satellite channel, Begum TV, operates from France, broadcasting educational programs covering the Afghan school curriculum from grades seven to twelve. The Taliban have banned education for women and girls beyond grade six in Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Saturday night, the Taliban’s Information and Culture Ministry said Radio Begum had “repeatedly requested” permission to restart operations. The suspension was lifted after the station pledged to adhere to the principles of journalism and the regulations set by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and committed to avoiding future violations.

The ministry did not specify what these principles and regulations entailed. Radio Begum confirmed that it had received approval to resume broadcasting but provided no further details.

Since their takeover, the Taliban have systematically restricted women’s rights, barring them from education, various jobs, and public spaces. Journalists, particularly women, have been heavily targeted, with many losing their jobs as the Taliban tighten their control over the media.

Afghanistan currently ranks 178 out of 180 countries in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, a sharp decline from its 152nd position the previous year.

Initially, the Taliban did not specify which TV channel Radio Begum was accused of collaborating with. However, their latest statement referred to alleged cooperation with “foreign sanctioned media outlets.”