afghanistan newsroom

April 10, 2026

Afghanistan’s wildlife deserves more than admiration

Afghanistan is often celebrated for its varied wildlife, but this reputation hides a troubling reality: the true state of Afghanistan’s wildlife is in decline due to inadequate legal protection and public indifference.

15-year-old Sara from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains why action is needed to protect her country’s wildlife

April 03, 2026

The language of food: How cuisine tells our stories

Food is never just about sustenance. Across cultures, it carries the weight of history, memory and identity. Every dish tells a story – of migration, trade, struggle and celebration. To sit at a table is to be part of a narrative much older than ourselves, a narrative written not in words but in flavours and aromas.

17-year-old Mahwa from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how food is central to her country’s culture and traditions

March 27, 2026

Silenced voices: Women, persecution and the fight for justice in Afghanistan

On 9 January, a 22-year-old woman in Herat, Khadija Ahmadzada, was detained by the Taliban for not wearing a proper hijab, allowing men and women to mix in the same space, and for playing music. Ahmadzada was reportedly running a gym for girls to learn self-defence, one of the few spaces where young women could build confidence and strength.

15-year-old Elaha from the Afghanistan Newsroom talks about the injustice faced by Afghanistani women and the Hazara people

March 20, 2026

Why TikTok Is more than just entertainment

When people hear the word TikTok, the first thought is usually viral dances, lip-syncs or comedy skits. But beneath the fun lies something more powerful. TikTok has grown into a global platform for self-expression, activism and cultural connection.

18-year-old Zala from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the importance of TikTok for those in Afghanistan and beyond

March 13, 2026

Life beyond the headlines: Daily stories of women in Afghanistan

At 6.30am, Nadia* quietly brews tea in her small kitchen while her children sleep. The sun barely filters through the curtained windows of their Kabul apartment. Her husband used to be the breadwinner, but following the Taliban’s return, he lost his job.

18-year-old Sama from the Afghanistan Newsroom examines how women cope with the many restrictions on their lives

February 20, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Afghanistan Newsroom

We’ve been running our Afghanistan Newsroom at Harbingers’ Magazine since 2023, with the aim of bringing learning to girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ban on secondary and higher education for girls and women.

Six teenage girls writing for Harbingers’ Magazine share their dreams for the future

January 23, 2026

‘I see myself as a bridge between two cultures’

When Yalda Farangis Sawgand, an Afghanistani woman now living in Germany, speaks of exile, she does not frame it as loss alone. She sees it as a bridge between two worlds, where the memories of Afghanistan meet the opportunities of Germany, and where culture, law and civic action converge.

19-year-old Nabila interviews Afghanistani writer and women’s rights activist Yalda Farangis Sawgand

January 09, 2026

Returning Afghan refugees face an unstable future

Every year, thousands of Afghan refugees make the difficult decision to return home to Afghanistan. According to UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, more than 1.6 million Afghans returned from neighbouring countries in 2024 alone, many to uncertain futures and fragile communities. Their journey back is not just physical – it’s emotional, driven by a longing for identity and belonging.

17-year-old Hadiya from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains why refugees choose to return – and what awaits them

January 02, 2026

Don’t tell me to leave my country – I want to stay and fight for it

Every time another friend boards a plane to flee Afghanistan, my heart aches – not because I envy their departure, but because their absence adds weight to the burden, we, who stay, continue to carry. Each empty seat in a classroom, each silent voice in the community is a reminder of the pressure to leave.

16–year-old Mahwa from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains why she chooses to remain in her homeland when so many are leaving

December 19, 2025

The hidden young artists of Kandahar

In a quiet room in Kandahar, 16-year-old Shahnaz* sits by a window, her sketchbook open across her knees. With no paints or brushes, she draws with a pencil – of gardens she’s never seen, where girls are walking freely, their faces filled with dreams.

21–year-old Ghutai from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how girls are expressing themselves through art, despite the Taliban

December 19, 2025

Best of 2025: Must-read articles from Harbingers’ newsrooms

My favourite part about being Editor-In-Chief of Harbingers’ Magazine has been working closely and forging relationships with writers from all over the world. This year, I was even able to visit the Nepali Newsroom team in person at the Mountain Children Home in Kathmandu, and meet members of our Sri Lankan Newsroom in Galle and Colombo.

18-year-old Noah Saphier rounds up his favourite articles from our seven newsrooms located around the world

December 05, 2025

Under his watch: The burden of the male guardian

In Afghanistan, women cannot move freely, not to school, not to work, not even to a hospital without a close male relative accompanying them – this is the mahram (male guardian) policy.

19-year-old Nabila from the Afghanistan Newsroom interviews three women about Afghanistan’s controversial mahram policy

November 28, 2025

How aid is delivered in Afghanistan – and why it’s so complicated

In Afghanistan, humanitarian aid is a lifeline for millions, providing critical food, medicine and shelter. This year, 22.9 million people – almost half the population – require humanitarian assistance to survive, according to the United Nations.

21-year-old Ghutai from the Afghanistan Newsroom analyses the problems facing both ordinary Afghans and aid organisations

November 07, 2025

What I’ve learned from Afghan journalists who report in secret

As a journalism student in Afghanistan, I live in a country where the truth has become dangerous, and telling it can cost you your freedom – or your life. And yet, every day, I learn from those who do it anyway.

14-year-old Malaika from the Afghanistan Newsroom shares who her role models are and the challenges they face

October 17, 2025

What the Taliban is teaching boys, and why it matters

Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, the education system in Afghanistan has undergone a complete overhaul. The ban on secondary and higher education for girls and women has made headlines around the world, but boys’ education has undergone a significant transformation too. But what are the changes and why are they taking place?

16-year-old Aqlima from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the damaging changes to boys’ education

October 03, 2025

How to tackle Afghanistan’s youth unemployment crisis

Afghanistan faces a devastating youth unemployment crisis, leaving many young men and women trapped in despair and facing an uncertain future. Economic instability, limited educational opportunities, a lack of job prospects and years of war and conflict have all contributed to the issue.

16-year-old Mahwa from the Afghanistan Newsroom explores the reasons behind the crisis – and possible solutions

September 26, 2025

Why the world must stop looking away from Afghan women

Since the Taliban returned to power, I’ve watched my dreams shrink. As a teenage Afghan girl, I’ve felt the silence grow louder every day – in classrooms that are now closed to many of my friends, in the fear of speaking up, and in the disappearing support from the world. It’s not just about hashtags anymore; it’s about our lives. And I wonder: will anyone truly stand with us when it matters most?

17-year-old Hadiya from the Afghanistan Newsroom demands real action from the West, not just hashtags and headlines

September 12, 2025

I’m a young Afghan, not a symbol

Every time the world turns its gaze to Afghanistan, I brace myself. Not because I’m afraid of being seen, but because I’m tired of being seen the wrong way.

18-year-old Sama from the Afghanistan Newsroom asks the Western media to treat Afghan girls as human beings

September 05, 2025

Lessons in the dark: Herat’s secret night schools

In a small, dim basement somewhere in Herat a dozen teenage girls sit huddled around a flickering kerosene lamp. Their notebooks are open, their eyes quietly determined. Hidden behind a thin curtain, this is one of many secret classrooms across the city – spaces where education still breathes under a regime that seeks to suffocate it.

18-year-old Asal from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how teenage girls are getting an education despite the Taliban ban

August 01, 2025

Politics and social media threaten Afghan tailoring

For Afghan women, tailoring has long been more than just a profession – it has been a gateway to financial independence, self-expression and cultural preservation. Amid societal pressures and limited economic opportunities, tailoring has provided Afghan women with a means to support themselves and their families while maintaining a sense of creativity and purpose.

19-year-old Mahnaz from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the challenges threatening women’s involvement in the textile industry

July 24, 2025

Two sisters using art to reveal the lives of Afghan women

In a private studio in Mannheim, Germany, two Afghan sisters channel their trauma and resilience into art that defies oppression and reclaims joy. Manizha and Zahra Abbasi, both in their twenties, fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return in 2021. They arrived in Germany as refugees, but their journey was not just one of displacement – it was a transformation into artists and activists.

18-year-old Zala from the Afghanistan Newsroom profiles two Afghan women in Germany and their ground-breaking art

May 30, 2025

Afghanistan’s digital revolution is transforming education

The rise of online education in Afghanistan has become a crucial lifeline for students, especially as access to traditional schools has become restricted. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, girls are banned from secondary school and university, making Afghanistan the only country with such a policy – affecting over 1.4 million girls so far

21-year-old Ghutai from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains how online learning is a lifeline for young Afghans

May 16, 2025

The future for Afghan youth: What jobs will be in demand?

Afghanistan’s job market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by worldwide economic trends and technological advancements. As traditional industries change, young Afghans must prepare for emerging opportunities. Understanding which sectors will thrive in the future and what skills are needed will be essential for career success

18-year-old Zala from the Afghanistan Newsroom looks at how young Afghans can adapt to the changing job market

April 25, 2025

When school becomes a dream: The impact of banning education for Afghan girls

Afghanistan’s education system for girls remains in limbo, with an uncertain future hanging over young women’s access to schooling. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have imposed a ban on secondary and university education for girls

16-year-old Aqlima from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the consequences of outlawing female education, four years on

April 04, 2025

Afghanistan grapples with a mental health crisis from war and trauma

Growing up in Germany, stereotypes have always surrounded me – from punctuality to humourlessness. These perceptions stem from history, politics and global impressions. While they might contain a grain of truth, they rarely capture the full picture

17-year-old Asal from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the psychological and emotional toll of war on the people of Herat

March 28, 2025

Afghan women fight for sport amid digital distractions

For Afghan women, sport has long provided a rare opportunity to break free from societal constraints. Amid traditional pressures and limited freedoms, participating in sport promotes physical health and offers self-expression and empowerment. However, two significant challenges – societal restrictions and digital distractions – threaten to limit their participation

17-year-old Sama explains the barriers preventing Afghan girls from getting involved in sport

March 13, 2025

Education is vital for Afghanistan’s youth, especially in rural areas

In Afghanistan’s rural areas, education is a rare treasure often out of reach due to isolation, poverty and cultural barriers. A UNESCO report from 2024 reveals that 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied schooling, with 1.1 million fewer children attending school compared to 2020, before the Taliban took over

19-year-old Nabila explains how youngsters in poor rural areas struggle to get an education

January 31, 2025

Welcome to the new Afghanistan Newsroom

In Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s restrictions have silenced the dreams of many young girls, a resilient group of students refuses to give up on their aspirations. Despite being denied access to education, including a recent restriction on being midwives or nurses, these ten determined girls are boldly pursuing their goals, from becoming doctors and business leaders to journalists

Ten female LEARN Journalism Club students writing for Harbingers’ Magazine share their hopes

August 01, 2024

Against all odds: Afghan girls want to learn

The message is simple. Education for children is a fundamental right, and our gender should make no difference. Afghan girls are the strongest girls. Just let them improve and study. Allow them back into school

17 year-old Zohra shares the unwavering determination of Afghan girls to pursue their education

July 11, 2024

Interesting facts about the galaxy you should know about

Studying galaxies helps us understand the universe's history, structure and evolution, opening us up to an extraordinary space that we often overlook in our daily lives

16 year-old Sama explores the world beyond our solar system and facts about our universe

June 13, 2024

How human rights advocate Sima Samar inspired me to never give up

Sima Samar is a strong supporter and advocate for her people, and girls like me are continually inspired by her work to make our futures better. Girls can take note of these qualities, despite the restrictions they may face, and become great leaders

16 year-old Swita expresses admiration for Afghan human rights activist Sima Samar, and discusses the key attributes of a good leader

April 11, 2024

How volunteers are helping to serve as a ‘beacon of hope’ in Afghanistan

Two years after the Taliban’s supposed temporary ban, another academic year has started, leaving girls in Afghanistan at a greater disadvantage. Inspired by the efforts of organisations to provide education to girls and women, I volunteered and witnessed the difference they can make

17 year-old Zohra on the resilient efforts of local organisations in providing life-changing opportunities to girls and young women in Afghanistan

March 29, 2024

The importance of striking a healthy balance on social media

Social media is a realm where borders blur, friendships transcend geographical barriers, and voices resound across continents. But in the vast world of online platforms, we must use these tools wisely to avoid the growing dangers it can pose

17 year-old Shanhaza and 15 year-old Mahwa warn of the dangers hidden in social media’s vast potential

March 22, 2024

What young Afghan women want to achieve in the world of technology

Despite bans on women’s education and rights in Afghanistan, technology is enabling them to look beyond their restrictive environment to gain more knowledge and chase their dreams

13 year-old Naziya surveys Afghan women on the potential of technology as a tool of income and education

March 22, 2024

Ways to maintain a healthy and balance lifestyle

Taking time to focus on our habits, our lifestyle choices, and what we put into our bodies, can be difficult and sometimes confronting but taking care of yourself is important undertaking

16 year-old Swita shares her guide to living a healthier lifestyle

December 22, 2023

Helping hands - How Afghan girls are instrumental in providing education

Organisations such as LEARN have been helping girls get an underground education by providing online classes such as science and web design lessons. Through their help and kindness, the power to offer opportunities to others is then passed on into our hands

17 year-old Zohra on the inspiring goal of helping young people follow their dreams

November 24, 2023

Motivation is helping me face daily obstacles and it can help you too

Girls like me need all the motivation they can get to stay focused and overcome hardship. I’m 16 and I’m unable to get a proper education in my home country of Afghanistan. But I will not let those limitations determine my future

16 year-old Swita on finding daily inspiration and self-help

November 17, 2023

Afghan teenager opens kindergarten to help children “fly off into the horizons of tomorrow”

Shanhaza, at the age of 15, opened her own kindergarten ‘Fly’ to provide free care for infants to equip younger generations with education and opportunity.

17 year-old Shanhaza on her dreams and goals in providing education

September 30, 2023

Flowers for the Future enables Afghan students to “bloom”

Amidst challenges posed by the Taliban’s restrictions, the support from individuals around the world and organisations like FFF are “a source of inspiration”

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimanova interviews the student-run organisation that supports the ‘rights of students across the world to education’

September 29, 2023

From nature trips to shop opening: how Afghan girls spent summer holidays

Afghanistan does not only mean crises and restrictions. It is a country filled with mesmerising landmarks, historical monuments, nature and a vibrant culture

Five students of the Afghanistan Newsroom share their summer experiences

July 21, 2023

Days that marked Afghan girls’ lives

There are days in everyone’s lives that they mark the most regardless of being good or bad. Five students of the journalism learning project at Harbingers’ Magazine – Shanhaza (17), Swita (16), Zainab (13), Naziya (13) and Zohra (17) – interviewed each other to find out about the days that impacted them the most

13-17 year-old Afghanistan Newsroom students share their life experiences

July 07, 2023

Meet five Afghan girls who dream big for their future

After the Taliban seized power in August 2021, they banned girls from receiving a high school education. Despite these hardships, they are still determined to achieve their goals

13-17 year-old students of the Afghanistan Newsroom share their aspirations

March 03, 2023

‘Girls go missing, schools are closed down, teachers persecuted’. Fight for education in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Pashtana Dorani is the founder of an organisation running 'illegal' underground schools for girls in Afghanistan. She knows first-hand the struggles girls and those teaching them face since the US and their allies withdrew and the Taliban regained control of the country

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova interviews Afghan human rights activist

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