BAMIAN – Najiba Amini wants to be a reporter so much she is willing to overcome almost any obstacle to reach her goal.

“I have to walk for three hours each day to reach my office,” said the 21 year-old reporter, who works at Bamian National Radio and Television. “It is very difficult, especially in the winter.”

But getting to work is only half the problem. Once there, Najiba faces cultural restrictions and a lack of resources that make it almost impossible for her to be a productive reporter.

“We are not provided with transportation to carry out our work assignments,” she said. “Due to cultural traditions and to some social problems in Bamian, women cannot go alone to cover a news event. In addition, we receive so little salary that it does not begin to meet our needs.”

Najiba was a refugee in Iran, returning home in 2004. It was only then that she was able to begin her studies, finishing high school in 2010. Now she wants to study at the university level.

She was trained by IFES’ Journalist Program in Bamian, and now earns $100 per month from Bamian National Radio and Television. As she said, it is not very much, but for her it is enough.

 “I do not have too many economic problems,” she said. “My father and brothers are working and can support our family, so I am saving my money to study at a private university next year.”

Najiba is more fortunate than many. Generally, families who have spent time in other countries and have been exposed to other cultures have fewer problems with women working outside the home.

“My family not only has no problem with my working outside, they actually encourage me,” she said.

But many of her colleagues do not have this advantage. Local officials confirm that life is difficult for Bamian’s female journalists.

Fatima Kazimi, the head of Bamian’s Department of Women’s Affairs, said that the government is not supporting women journalists, and that the local culture also holds them back.

“Young women are very eager to work in the field of journalism,” she said. “Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding among the local population of the importance of female journalists. The government does not provide support either, which makes it very hard for women.”

Mohammad Asef Mubaligh, Bamian’s Deputy Governor, confirms the problem.

“Mohammad Asef Mubaligh, Bamian’s Deputy Governor: "Women are almost invisible in journalism.”

“Women are almost invisible in journalism,” he said. “We have cultural problems which put obstacles in their way, but we are working hard to resolve these difficulties.”

Bamian is the only province in Afghanistan to be headed by a female governor, Habiba Surobi.

Still, it is an uphill battle, due to cultural traditions. All over Afghanistan, women rarely work outside the home. Over the past ten years, however, due to increased media coverage of women’s issues and a greater role for women in society, the number of female journalists has increased.

Zahra Nazari also received her journalism training from IFES, which has organized a six-month program for journalists in Bamian. She, too, has difficulty in exercising her profession, and adds that there is a need for journalist advocacy organizations in the province.

“Social problems are the main challenges women journalists face,” she said “Many people do not respect women journalists. And there are no journalists’ organizations to try and advocate for us.”

But the government insists it is trying.

“We will soon launch specific capacity-building programs for women,” said Governor Surobi. “These include trainings, the creation of Women’s Assemblies on the provincial and district levels, and long-term programs at the Agha Khan Educational Center. We will also be hiring women for government jobs and encouraging them to participate in social and political activities.”

The Department of Women’s Affairs has also tried to change the situation in Bamian, according to Fatima Kazimi.

“We have had a number of trainings for women in order to help and encourage them to take an active role in society,” she said.