Afghanistan: How one TV presenter became a refugee

Afghanistan: How one TV presenter became a refugee

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August, life for many women in the country changed overnight. For one TV presenter, it meant the end of her career, along with her hopes and dreams. Now, almost a year on, she is trying to a build a new life as a refugee in the UK.
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On 14 August 2021, the night before the Taliban took control of Kabul, Shabhnam Dawran was preparing to present the prime time news show on Tolo News and Radio Television Afghanistan.
In recent days, the Taliban had swept across Afghanistan and had now reached the outskirts of the capital.
The 24-year-old Shabhnam was a rising star. She went on air to break the news to viewers who were glued to their TV screens following every development of the story.
"I was so emotional that I couldn't even read the lead story. People watching me at home could tell what I was going through," she says.
When she woke the next morning, Kabul had fallen to the militant group.
A Taliban member, with the group's black and white flag behind him, was now sitting in the same seat in the studio where Shabhnam had sat the night before.
It marked the end of an era.
At their first official news conference, a Taliban spokesman told a room filled with journalists that women could work "shoulder to shoulder with men".
The next day, a nervous but excited Shabhnam put on her work clothes and made her way to the office.

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August, life for many women in the country changed overnight. For one TV presenter, it meant the end of her career, along with her hopes and dreams. Now, almost a year on, she is trying to a build a new life as a refugee in the UK.
Become a Member Play a new SLOTXO game with us today, get a 100% free bonus and many great perks. Acceptable to your liking
On 14 August 2021, the night before the Taliban took control of Kabul, Shabhnam Dawran was preparing to present the prime time news show on Tolo News and Radio Television Afghanistan.
In recent days, the Taliban had swept across Afghanistan and had now reached the outskirts of the capital.
The 24-year-old Shabhnam was a rising star. She went on air to break the news to viewers who were glued to their TV screens following every development of the story.
"I was so emotional that I couldn't even read the lead story. People watching me at home could tell what I was going through," she says.
When she woke the next morning, Kabul had fallen to the militant group.
A Taliban member, with the group's black and white flag behind him, was now sitting in the same seat in the studio where Shabhnam had sat the night before.
It marked the end of an era.
At their first official news conference, a Taliban spokesman told a room filled with journalists that women could work "shoulder to shoulder with men".
The next day, a nervous but excited Shabhnam put on her work clothes and made her way to the office.