"Inside Kabul" audio recordings, 2021-2022

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Summary

Creator:
Human Rights Archive (Duke University), Archive of Documentary Arts (Duke University), and Gillet, Caroline
Abstract:
"Inside Kabul" is an award-winning podcast produced originally by France Inter and directed by Caroline Gillet in collaboration with two young Afghan women, Marwa and Raha (aliases). The collection contains 80 unedited audio files recorded by Marwa and Raha between 2021-2022 after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, that would later be used in the podcast, and one corresponding unedited transcript. Topics discussed by Marwa and Raha in these recordings include the erosion of women's rights, social norms and changes, relationships, safety and economic impacts, the refugee experience, and resettling overseas. Winner of the 2025 Human Rights Digital Storytelling Award. Acquired as part of the Human Rights Archive and the Archive of Documentary Arts.
Extent:
502 Megabytes (81 files)
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13168

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains 80 audio files recorded between 2021-2022 as voice notes by Marwa and Raha that were sent to Caroline Gillet, director of "Inside Kabul," and one corresponding unedited transcript of their recordings. Occurring after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, general topics discussed by Marwa and Raha throughout the recordings include the erosion of women's rights related to work, education, and movement; social norms and changes related to gatherings, music, and clothing; and relationships with family, spouses, and friends. Marwa and Raha also talk about safety issues in Kabul, Afghanistan; the Taliban's impact on the economy; the refugee experience including evacuation to Mazar e Sharif and time spent in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi; and resettlement in Germany. Some files include description of violence in Afghanistan and audio sounds of gunshots.

Biographical / historical:

"In the summer of 2021, the Taliban returns to power in Afghanistan and the destinies of two young women, Raha and Marwa, are forever changed. As they contemplate their futures, Raha and Marwa exchange and record hundreds of voice notes with noted French journalist, Caroline Gillet. What emerges is a raw and incredibly intimate chronicle of two young women coming of age amidst the collapse of the world they had known. While Raha has chosen to stay in Kabul and is confronted with the violence of the new regime, Marwa has left and finds her locked up in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi. "Inside Kabul" tells a universal story of friendship, bravery, and the meaning of home."

Originally produced by France Inter (Radio France), and directed by Caroline Gillet, "Inside Kabul" is an award-winning podcast intertwining narration by Gillet and the recordings created by Marwa and Raha after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Two years later, in collaboration with Denis Walgenwitz, "Inside Kabul" became an animated short, visualizing their stories and broadcasted in mulitple countries. The following year, an English-language version of the podcast was licensed to Canadaland; Radio France began to broadcast the second season, called "Outside Kabul," focusing on the continuation of Marwa and Raha's story.

"Inside Kabul" is the 2025 winner of the Human Rights Digital Storytelling Award.

Sources: "Inside Kabul", https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/serie-inside-kaboul, accessed October 2025. Digital Storytelling Award "Inside Kaboul", https://blogs.library.duke.edu/rubenstein/2025/09/09/digital-storytelling-award-inside-kaboul/, accessed October 2025.

Acquisition information:
The "Inside Kabul" audio recordings were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a winner of the 2025 Human Rights Digital Storytelling Award.
Processing information:

Processed by Tere Elizalde, October 2025

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2025-0102

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Access restricted. All files are listen only; no downloads allowed without permission from the donors.

Access note. Collection contains electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], "Inside Kabul" audio recordings, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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