SAJNA 2010-2020
SAJNA started its mission by coordinating the activities of media outlets and civil society organizations in the north of Afghanistan in 2010.
The Social Association of Journalists at North of Afghanistan considering the fact that the reaching of a prosperous and peaceful society needs coordination between the civil society associations and mass media, it started conducting numerous conferences and gatherings.
SAJNA has tried to build a solid sustainable relationship between journalists and civil society organizations and activists.
Social Association of Journalists at North of Afghanistan has conducted 13 workshops in Balkh, Samangan, Faryab, Jawzjan & Sar-e Pul provinces to coordinate and support IWPR & NED organizations to improve the professional capacity of young journalists in these provinces.
In 2013 Social Association of Journalists at North of Afghanistan has conducted 18 short term workshops for journalists in northern provinces like Balkh, Samangan, Faryab, Jawzjan and Sar-e pul in coordination and support of NED.
These trainings were focused on critical writing for print media, investigative report writing, and training of trainers (TOT) for proactive journalists to train other journalists in their provinces in remote areas.
In 2014 the SAJNA conducted ten exclusive training workshops on news source recognition, research journalism, documentary making, and photography for Balkh, Samangan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Sar-e pul, and Herat provinces.
In 2015 SAJNA has conducted ten workshops and media conferences in Balkh and Badakhshan provinces in coordination and financial and technical support of the GIZ office on the importance of renewable energy resources and the economic and environmental costs of nonrenewable energies in Afghanistan.
Apart from that, SAJNA has developed training programs and workshops in Samangan, Balkh, Jawzjan, Sarepul, and Faryab & Heart provinces. In 2016 with the support of the GIZ, numerous media meetings were conducted in Heart, Badakhshan, Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif.
These conducted media conferences were on protecting journalists` rights and on eliminating of violence against journalists and journalist`s safety training.
In 2017 SAJNA had a media meeting in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif on the contamination and decreasing of underground water.
SAJNA also conducted a media meeting in Kabul about mining transparency in Afghanistan.
The association has launched a media meeting about the role of law and its awareness in Mazar-e Sharif.
SAJNA also conducted a media meeting about improving jobseekers` capacity for employment in Mazar-e Sharif with the support of the GIZ.
We have conducted hundreds of training and workshops during ten years of our activity in Afghanistan.
In 2018 and 2019, SAJNA had a heavy focus on developing its activities of supporting women to increase the working capacity of female journalists in Balkh.
SAJNA, in coordination with NAI conducted research journalism training sessions for dozens of students of Balkh University, Mawlana University, and various media outlets journalists in 2019.
In 2020, SAJNA, in addition to its activities, tried to change the administrative system of this institution and wanted to expand its activities by providing opportunities for young generation to work in this institution and professionalize the activities of the media in Afghanistan. For this purpose, SAJNA devised a plan to hold elections for the board of directors.
Based on that plan, in 2021, the board of the SAJNA changed with the holding of elections, and new members became the leaders of the activities of the organization.
From January 2021 to August 15, which coincides with the arrival of the Taliban in Afghanistan. SAJNA has held dozens advocacy sessions to end violence against journalists in Afghanistan.
SAJNA`s new Board of Directors held regular and effective meetings with government officials, media owners, and advocacy groups to professionalize media activities in Afghanistan.
From August 15, 2021, until end of 2021, SAJNA, in coordination with international organizations such as the FLD and PD has provided assistance and the opportunity for evacuation to the journalists at-risk. SAJNA with the cooperation of RSF also held digital security online trainings for journalists at risk.
SAJNA has experience of conducting conferences, training programs, advocacy gatherings, and journalists protecting sessions through its national and local trained professionals in war zones and remote areas where others can`t access.
Still, SAJNA has its active representatives all around the country to do so.
We will continue our mission of promoting freedom of expression, defending of journalists` rights, and the professionalization of Afghan media.
Source: SAJNA