Kabul, May 12: The murder of Afghanistan's renowned female journalist Mina Mangal has evoked a sharp reaction from across the world. The former scribe, who was now working as the adviser on cultural affairs to the Afghan Parliament, was shot dead in broad daylight in eastern Kabul. A couple of days before her assassination, the deceased had penned a social media post alleging threat to her life.
On her death, the international community of scholars, researchers and journalists have expressed shock and angst against a voice of progress and women's liberation in the war-torn Afghanistan.
Here Are Some of The Reactions:
Mina Mangal, a former #journalist and an adviser to the parliament was killed in an attack by unknown armed men in #Kabul on Saturday, said Nusrat Rahimi a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs. pic.twitter.com/AZ6PxbsMaE
— Mariya Afghan (@MariyaAfghan) May 11, 2019
Iranian Journalist Marks Dissent:
A former prominent Afghan TV journalist has been shot dead in Kabul. Mena Mangal had worked for more than a decade as a presenter for Tolo TV. She also ran popular social-media pages that discussed the rights of Afghan women. https://t.co/NCxgQvlctL
— Golnaz Esfandiari (@GEsfandiari) May 11, 2019
'Strived For Women's Rights' and Girls' Education'
Meena Mangal, former prominent journalist and currently advisor to Afghan parliament was killed today by unknown gunmen in Kabul. Mangal was an outspoken activist for women”s right and girls education. Rest in Peace Sister! #journalist #afghanistan pic.twitter.com/N6hyyMvVsd
— Najiba Laima نجیبه لېمه (@NajibaLaima) May 11, 2019
'Mangal Had Alleged Threat to Life'
On May 3rd she wrote a post on her personal social media page about the threat to her life. This is an absolute dishonor to @NDSAfghanistan @moiafghanistan @onscafghan pic.twitter.com/kFyMoTejCj
— Mariam Wardak (@MaroWardak) May 11, 2019
Condolence From UAE:
Afghan journalist Mena Mangal shot dead in #Kabul.
She was former prominent @TOLOnews TV presenter who ran very popular social-media pages that discussed rights of Afghan girls to go to school and women to work.https://t.co/kl0O84sTyY pic.twitter.com/ETrKRo6BKc
— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) May 11, 2019
'Reflects Patriarchal Bankruptcy'
The killing of #women who speak up in order to silence them is the final evidence of utter #patriarchal bankruptcy; it happened again in #Afghanistan today, as the so-called ‘protectors’ and ‘liberators’ of women do their deals. #MenaMangal
— Nitasha Kaul (@NitashaKaul) May 11, 2019
Condolence From Top US Scribe:
She'd feared for her life and still nothing done - another attack against women's rights in Afghanistan
Mena Mangal: journalist and political adviser shot dead in Kabul https://t.co/DOtBjZdbHM
— Christine Kearney (@_CKearney) May 12, 2019
Press Freedom Being Muzzled in Afghanistan
Journalists attacked in #Afghanistan since March 2019:
Mena Mangal killed in Kabul.
Sultan Mahmoud Khirkowa killed in Helmand.
Imran Lemar wounded by gunman in Nangarhar.
Ahmad Ahmadi wounded by explosive attached to his car in Helmand. #PressFreedom https://t.co/zSh5dwiXTM
— Mariam Amini (@mariamamini) May 11, 2019
'Devastating'
Absolutely devastated to learn that #MenaMangal, a prominent journalist and political adviser in #Afghanistan, has been gunned down in #Kabul, just days after she warned on social media that she feared for her life.https://t.co/5aZ8FHoVIm
— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) May 11, 2019
Mangal's killing the reflects the state of lawlessness and threat to women in public life in Afghanistan. The country's miniscule section of progressive females fear the rise of an ruthless patriarchy, if the Taliban is legitimised following the exit of the United States.
Taliban, which sprung to power in Afghanistan post the Cold War, was known for implementing laws which suppressed the presence of women in public life. Despite advances since the Taliban's ouster in 2001, women in Afghanistan are still frequently marginalized. Their plight is expected to accelerate if the US-Taliban peace deal sails through, giving the extremist group a legit political space in the conflict-ridden nation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 12, 2019 11:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).