Afghan women get new magazine

Afghan women get new magazine

By Catherine Davis
BBC correspondent in Afghanistan

The first national women's magazine in Afghanistan has gone into circulation.

The magazine is a new boost for Afghanistan's women

The new magazine, called Morsal (rose), is aimed at women in urban and rural areas and reflects life in Afghanistan.

It is being distributed free of charge initially.

The intention is to build up demand for the magazine in a country recovering from 23 years of war.

Morsal is a magazine with something for everyone.

It even has what no women's publication could be without - horoscopes.

There are three basic sections to the magazine.

The first focuses on the role of women in public life, the second on women as mothers and the third as housewives.

And there are not just written articles, there are photostories too.

Presenting information in a visual way is important here where it is estimated that at least 85% of women are illiterate.

The project director, Shahir Zahine, says this magazine is different to others.