Rukhshana Media
@rukhshanamedia.bsky.social
A women-led online media outlet for women and children in Afghanistan. We have won several prestigious international awards for amplifying women's voices.
Families would go there to worship, often bringing food to cook and eat together. A section of the mosque was dedicated women-only.
Rukhshana Media sent a reporter to the shrine to investigate the reports. This is what he saw:
rukhshana.com/en/you-shoul...
Rukhshana Media sent a reporter to the shrine to investigate the reports. This is what he saw:
rukhshana.com/en/you-shoul...
December 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Families would go there to worship, often bringing food to cook and eat together. A section of the mosque was dedicated women-only.
Rukhshana Media sent a reporter to the shrine to investigate the reports. This is what he saw:
rukhshana.com/en/you-shoul...
Rukhshana Media sent a reporter to the shrine to investigate the reports. This is what he saw:
rukhshana.com/en/you-shoul...
Alex Crawford explained the difficulties of reporting from the ground, with 90 percent of journalist visa applications being refused by the Taliban over the last four years.
rukhshana.com/en/how-can-t...
rukhshana.com/en/how-can-t...
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Alex Crawford explained the difficulties of reporting from the ground, with 90 percent of journalist visa applications being refused by the Taliban over the last four years.
rukhshana.com/en/how-can-t...
rukhshana.com/en/how-can-t...
As the world marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women this week, I spoke with the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett about the dire situation facing women and girls.
rukhshana.com/en/we-must-b...
rukhshana.com/en/we-must-b...
December 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
As the world marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women this week, I spoke with the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett about the dire situation facing women and girls.
rukhshana.com/en/we-must-b...
rukhshana.com/en/we-must-b...
Laila with three children to bring up alone, she found work cooking and cleaning – until that, too, was taken away when the Taliban came to power. Desperate, she went to those in authority to seek their help feeding her family.
rukhshana.com/en/nowhere-t...
rukhshana.com/en/nowhere-t...
November 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Laila with three children to bring up alone, she found work cooking and cleaning – until that, too, was taken away when the Taliban came to power. Desperate, she went to those in authority to seek their help feeding her family.
rukhshana.com/en/nowhere-t...
rukhshana.com/en/nowhere-t...
Rukhshana Media has documented 117 cases of women dying either by suicide or at the hands of a family member or stranger in the 12 months since November 25 last year. The true figure is likely to be much higher.
rukhshana.com/en/violence-...
rukhshana.com/en/violence-...
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Rukhshana Media has documented 117 cases of women dying either by suicide or at the hands of a family member or stranger in the 12 months since November 25 last year. The true figure is likely to be much higher.
rukhshana.com/en/violence-...
rukhshana.com/en/violence-...
A small domestic crisis provided the first spark that ignited a new career for Setara. She was home alone one night when the power went out, and she realised she had no clue how to fix the problem.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/how-a-sma...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/how-a-sma...
November 19, 2025 at 8:53 AM
A small domestic crisis provided the first spark that ignited a new career for Setara. She was home alone one night when the power went out, and she realised she had no clue how to fix the problem.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/how-a-sma...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/how-a-sma...
Since it was introduced last Wednesday, women seeking treatment have been turned away from hospitals because they weren’t wearing the burqa, while access to government services has also been affected, causing widespread distress and triggering protest.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-i...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-i...
November 11, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Since it was introduced last Wednesday, women seeking treatment have been turned away from hospitals because they weren’t wearing the burqa, while access to government services has also been affected, causing widespread distress and triggering protest.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-i...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-i...
Three years on, Raihana still bears the physical scars of the attack on the Kaj Educational Centre in western Kabul. Her back still carries burn marks and her left leg is scarred by shrapnel.
rukhshana.com/en/all-my-dr...
rukhshana.com/en/all-my-dr...
November 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Three years on, Raihana still bears the physical scars of the attack on the Kaj Educational Centre in western Kabul. Her back still carries burn marks and her left leg is scarred by shrapnel.
rukhshana.com/en/all-my-dr...
rukhshana.com/en/all-my-dr...
Within hours Karishma, who was widowed three years ago, had appeared in court on unspecified charges and been sent to Kabul’s notorious Pul-e-Charkhi jail, Afghanistan’s largest high-security prison.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/go-with-l...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/go-with-l...
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Within hours Karishma, who was widowed three years ago, had appeared in court on unspecified charges and been sent to Kabul’s notorious Pul-e-Charkhi jail, Afghanistan’s largest high-security prison.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/go-with-l...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/go-with-l...
“My heart was pounding as we put up the posters. I was terrified that the Taliban might catch and imprison us, or that we might be recognised through security cameras,” she said.
rukhshana.com/en/from-kabu...
rukhshana.com/en/from-kabu...
October 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
“My heart was pounding as we put up the posters. I was terrified that the Taliban might catch and imprison us, or that we might be recognised through security cameras,” she said.
rukhshana.com/en/from-kabu...
rukhshana.com/en/from-kabu...
They say they are protecting our “honor,” our “values,” but let’s be honest — they are protecting their fear.
They’re terrified of a woman who can think. Because once a woman begins to think, she begins to question.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
They’re terrified of a woman who can think. Because once a woman begins to think, she begins to question.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
October 19, 2025 at 10:46 AM
They say they are protecting our “honor,” our “values,” but let’s be honest — they are protecting their fear.
They’re terrified of a woman who can think. Because once a woman begins to think, she begins to question.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
They’re terrified of a woman who can think. Because once a woman begins to think, she begins to question.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
The Taliban held a press conference at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on Sunday with female journalists present, two days after attracting a storm of criticism for reportedly turning women and foreign journalists away from a similar event.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-h...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-h...
October 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The Taliban held a press conference at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on Sunday with female journalists present, two days after attracting a storm of criticism for reportedly turning women and foreign journalists away from a similar event.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-h...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-h...
This one was set up by the Permanent Peoples Tribunal, a Rome-based body, at the behest of a group of four Afghan civil society organisations.
rukhshana.com/en/peoples-t...
rukhshana.com/en/peoples-t...
People’s Tribunal for Afghanistan’s Women Begins in Spain - Rukhshana Media
A hearing into the Taliban’s treatment of women in Afghanistan opened on Wednesday in the Spanish capital, seeking to amplify the voices of victims and hold the group accountable for human rights viol...
rukhshana.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
This one was set up by the Permanent Peoples Tribunal, a Rome-based body, at the behest of a group of four Afghan civil society organisations.
rukhshana.com/en/peoples-t...
rukhshana.com/en/peoples-t...
“Driving makes work easier and allows me to bring the employees safely to the workshop, without them facing harassment on the way,” she told Rukhshana Media.
rukhshana.com/en/herat-is-...
rukhshana.com/en/herat-is-...
October 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
“Driving makes work easier and allows me to bring the employees safely to the workshop, without them facing harassment on the way,” she told Rukhshana Media.
rukhshana.com/en/herat-is-...
rukhshana.com/en/herat-is-...
Forootan, who has reported for Rukhshana Media in Kabul for two years and whose true identity we are concealing for her protection, saw several young women forced into a white van by the men in white coats.
rukhshana.com/en/it-felt-a...
rukhshana.com/en/it-felt-a...
October 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Forootan, who has reported for Rukhshana Media in Kabul for two years and whose true identity we are concealing for her protection, saw several young women forced into a white van by the men in white coats.
rukhshana.com/en/it-felt-a...
rukhshana.com/en/it-felt-a...
We're delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Gibson as the new chair of the Rukhshana Media board of trustees.
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in international journalism and is a committed advocate for equality and inclusion.1/3
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in international journalism and is a committed advocate for equality and inclusion.1/3
October 6, 2025 at 8:59 AM
We're delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Gibson as the new chair of the Rukhshana Media board of trustees.
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in international journalism and is a committed advocate for equality and inclusion.1/3
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in international journalism and is a committed advocate for equality and inclusion.1/3
Afghanistan was plunged into isolation on Monday as internet services were cut and mobile communications severely disrupted.
rukhshana.com/en/afghanist...
rukhshana.com/en/afghanist...
Afghanistan goes dark as authorities cut internet and telecoms - Rukhshana Media
Internet service providers said they had cut off services “due to the decision and order of government authorities”.
rukhshana.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Afghanistan was plunged into isolation on Monday as internet services were cut and mobile communications severely disrupted.
rukhshana.com/en/afghanist...
rukhshana.com/en/afghanist...
Lessons in arts and culture or civic engagement are out. In their place, a renewed focus on religious studies, Sharia law and recitations of the Quran. This is education, Taliban-style.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-o...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-o...
September 27, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Lessons in arts and culture or civic engagement are out. In their place, a renewed focus on religious studies, Sharia law and recitations of the Quran. This is education, Taliban-style.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-o...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-o...
That was until 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in her native Afghanistan. Now, the pool in Kabul where she used to swim is dry, the building abandoned and its doors bolted against the young women she once coached.
rukhshana.com/en/swimming-...
rukhshana.com/en/swimming-...
September 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM
That was until 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in her native Afghanistan. Now, the pool in Kabul where she used to swim is dry, the building abandoned and its doors bolted against the young women she once coached.
rukhshana.com/en/swimming-...
rukhshana.com/en/swimming-...
the group’s supreme leader had personally taken the decision to allow the removal of women’s photos from the cards on the advice of the Dar al-Ifta, or religious council.
rukhshana.com/en/afghan-wo...
rukhshana.com/en/afghan-wo...
September 18, 2025 at 9:31 AM
the group’s supreme leader had personally taken the decision to allow the removal of women’s photos from the cards on the advice of the Dar al-Ifta, or religious council.
rukhshana.com/en/afghan-wo...
rukhshana.com/en/afghan-wo...
Most of the children she sees are moderately malnourished, the legacy of poverty and a series of droughts that have compounded the difficulties of life in a region known for its harsh climate.
rukhshana.com/en/how-one-a...
rukhshana.com/en/how-one-a...
September 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Most of the children she sees are moderately malnourished, the legacy of poverty and a series of droughts that have compounded the difficulties of life in a region known for its harsh climate.
rukhshana.com/en/how-one-a...
rukhshana.com/en/how-one-a...
More than 800 people have been killed in an earthquake in a remote mountainous part of eastern Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said on Monday.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/hundreds-...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/hundreds-...
September 1, 2025 at 11:15 AM
More than 800 people have been killed in an earthquake in a remote mountainous part of eastern Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said on Monday.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/hundreds-...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/hundreds-...
The Taliban have issued an order targeting underground beauty salons operating in secret across Afghanistan, warning the women running them that they have to stop or face arrest.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-l...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-l...
August 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The Taliban have issued an order targeting underground beauty salons operating in secret across Afghanistan, warning the women running them that they have to stop or face arrest.
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-l...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/taliban-l...
When the Taliban were toppled from power in 2001, many women in Afghanistan kept wearing the burqa, even though they were no longer required to do so.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-a...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-a...
Taliban abuses risk being normalised in Afghanistan, campaigners warn - Rukhshana Media
When the Taliban were toppled from power in 2001, many women in Afghanistan kept wearing the burqa, even though they were no longer required to do so
rukhshana.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:16 AM
When the Taliban were toppled from power in 2001, many women in Afghanistan kept wearing the burqa, even though they were no longer required to do so.
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-a...
rukhshana.com/en/taliban-a...
When the Taliban issued a decree barring women from attending universities, “it felt like everything was over,” she says. “I just read books and scrolled Instagram, but I felt like my life had stopped.”
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/against-a...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/against-a...
August 19, 2025 at 7:57 AM
When the Taliban issued a decree barring women from attending universities, “it felt like everything was over,” she says. “I just read books and scrolled Instagram, but I felt like my life had stopped.”
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/against-a...
Read more: rukhshana.com/en/against-a...