Mahbuba Rahi

Pioneering Afghan journalist who advocated for women's rights during the Taliban era

Mahbuba Rahi (1960-2008) was a groundbreaking Afghan journalist and women's rights activist whose work during the Taliban regime (1996-2001) made her a symbol of resistance against oppression. Despite severe restrictions, she continued reporting for Radio Free Europe and BBC Persian using pseudonyms, exposing human rights abuses and documenting the plight of Afghan women. Her courageous journalism provided critical information to the international community during a time when most media outlets were silenced.

Rahi's most notable contribution was co-founding the Afghan Journalists Center in 2002, which trained over 300 female reporters and helped rebuild Afghanistan's media sector post-Taliban. Her investigative reports on corruption and gender-based violence paved the way for modern Afghan journalism standards. Though tragically assassinated in 2008, her legacy lives on through the Mahbuba Rahi Media Foundation (mahbubarahi.org), which continues her mission of empowering women through media.

Her work is highlighted in the documentary Voices of Resistance (2010) and the book Women Writing War by journalist Ann Jones. Rahi's story represents the transformative power of journalism in oppressive regimes, making her a pivotal figure in both media history and women's rights movements.