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Zan News: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that in 2024, it provided primary health services to over 20 million people in Afghanistan, half of whom were children. Photo: WFP/Massoud Hossaini UNICEF: In 2024, Over 20 Million People in Afghanistan Received Primary Health Services April 12, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that in 2024, it provided primary health services to over 20 million people in Afghanistan, half of whom were children. In a report published on its activities over the past year, the organization stated that these services were delivered through UNICEF-supported centers across the country. According to the report, around 12 million children and mothers also benefited from the organization’s nutritional services. UNICEF also stated that under the framework of the “Community-Based Education” program, 564,000 children—64 percent of whom were girls—gained access to education. The organization emphasized that despite these achievements in the past year, it continues to face complex challenges in Afghanistan. The organization had previously announced that in September of last year, it supported 2,400 health centers in various Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Zan News: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced that in September of this year, over one million children in Afghanistan were examined for malnutrition. Photo: World Vision Afghanistan UNICEF: Over One Million Children in Afghanistan Screened for Malnutrition November 18, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced that in September of this year, over one million children in Afghanistan were examined for malnutrition. According to UNICEF, these examinations are the first step in identifying children who are at risk of malnutrition-related issues. Based on the recent report from the organization, 343,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition have been hospitalized for treatment in Afghanistan's hospitals this year. Previously, the World Health Organization had warned that the food insecurity crisis in Afghanistan is worsening, with 2.9 million children under five currently facing malnutrition. International organizations say that due to the spread of poverty and hunger, an increasing number of Afghan children are at risk of malnutrition.

Zan News: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated in a recent report that the Taliban's ban on girls' education is putting an entire generation at risk in Afghanistan. Photo: UNICEF/Sayed Bidel OCHA: Taliban's Ban on Girls' Education Threatens a Generation in Afghanistan April 8, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated in a recent report that the Taliban's ban on girls' education is putting an entire generation at risk in Afghanistan. In its January 2025 report, OCHA emphasized that approximately 1.5 million girls have been deprived of education since the Taliban banned education beyond the sixth grade in March 2022. The report highlights that this ban has exposed girls to risks such as illiteracy, child labor, early marriage, and gender-based violence, further exacerbating the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan. Currently, nearly 9 million children, including 888,000 children with disabilities, are in urgent need of education. OCHA also referred to a verbal directive issued by the Taliban in January 2023, under which classrooms previously managed by international organizations were transferred to local institutions and provincial education offices. According to the organization, this decision has significantly reduced access to education, and by December 2024, only 1,315 out of 4,332 transferred classrooms remain active. As a result, nearly 52,000 children, mostly girls, have dropped out of school. The report also emphasized that poverty remains a significant barrier to education. According to 2024 assessments, 11% of families reported that due to financial difficulties, education was no longer a priority. Furthermore, in 2024, only 20% of 182,000 returnee children, mostly due to issues with documentation, financial problems, language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of schools, educational spaces, and materials in their return areas, were able to access education. OCHA has also warned that the number of out-of-school children is likely to increase in 2025. To address Afghanistan's urgent educational needs, OCHA stated that $93.3 million is required in 2025 to support 831,000 children. These funds will be used for educational materials, teacher training, temporary classrooms, and literacy programs in remote areas.

Zan News: During a session of the British Parliament held on Tuesday (25 February), the Taliban's treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan was strongly criticized. Photo: wikipedia British Parliament: Taliban Must Revoke Their Barbaric Decrees February 26, 2025 Zan News Zan News: During a session of the British Parliament held on Tuesday (25 February), the Taliban's treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan was strongly criticized. Anneliese Dodds, the UK Minister for Women and Equalities, highlighted the negative impacts of the Taliban's policies on the lives of Afghan women and girls, stating, "We are determined to support Afghan girls and women." Condemning the "appalling" behavior of the Taliban towards this segment of society, she emphasized, "The Taliban must revoke their barbaric decrees, and we are working seriously with international partners to maintain collective pressure." Dodds also stressed the necessity of applying intense political pressure on the Taliban and expressed satisfaction with the UK's support for the initiative to refer Afghanistan's case to the International Court of Justice. During the session, Wendy Morton, a member of the British Parliament, described the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women and girls as "abhorrent" and called for increased pressure on the group. It is worth noting that 24 other countries had previously announced that if the Taliban do not revise their policies against Afghan women, they would refer the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, the acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, said at a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly held on Friday night (November 1) that the Taliban have shown no willingness to respond to the legitimate demands of the Afghan people and the international community. Photo: UN Nasir Ahmad Faiq: Taliban Have Shown No Willingness to Respond to the Legitimate Demands of the Afghan People November 2, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, the acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, said at a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly held on Friday night (November 1) that the Taliban have shown no willingness to respond to the legitimate demands of the Afghan people and the international community. He emphasized in this meeting that despite repeated calls for the formation of an inclusive and accountable government that represents the will and participation of all segments of society, especially women, the Taliban have imposed a government that prioritizes exclusivity over unity. Faiq also pointed to the disproportionate harms of the Taliban's repressive policies against women and girls, describing these restrictions as a form of gender apartheid. He added that these policies amount to destroying half of Afghanistan's potential and pushing society towards backwardness. He also emphasized that in addition to gender issues, ethnic and religious minorities, including the Hazara community, are facing harassment, discrimination, and targeted attacks. Faiq noted that one of the most worrying issues is the Taliban's revenge against former security forces and government officials and that despite promises of amnesty, reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of former military personnel continue. The acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN continued by saying that the Taliban's policies do not reflect the true Islamic values or the traditions of the Afghan people and that these policies deepen the cycle of poverty, dependency, and conflict in Afghanistan. He also supported the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and, in addition to calling for the recognition of gender apartheid, called for the establishment of an independent accountability mechanism for Afghanistan to complement the work of the Special Rapporteur. Faiq welcomed the initiative of Germany, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands to hold the Taliban accountable under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and stated that this initiative, which may be brought to the International Court of Justice, demonstrates a global commitment to holding the Taliban accountable for human rights violations. He emphasized the need for a unified and human rights-based approach by the international community, saying: "We call for a principled stance in interactions that makes measurable progress in the field of human rights a prerequisite for any dialogue with the Taliban. This approach will strengthen accountability and place human rights at the center of diplomatic efforts." In conclusion, Faiq referred to the dark reality facing the Afghan people today, which is rapidly threatening their freedom, dignity, and security, and emphasized that the international community cannot remain indifferent to this situation.

Zan News: Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, has emphasized his country’s commitment to supporting Afghan women and girls. Photo: HFalconerMP/X UK Emphasizes Support for Afghan Women and Girls December 16, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, has emphasized his country’s commitment to supporting Afghan women and girls. On Sunday (December 15), Falconer announced his meeting with a group of Afghan students from the American University of Afghanistan in Doha. He discussed the challenges faced by young Afghans and their aspirations for the future during this meeting. He stated: "I had the honor of meeting young Afghans studying in Doha. We discussed the challenges they face and their aspirations for the future." Falconer also noted that the UK plans to provide around 14 billion Afghanis in aid to Afghanistan by March 2025. The British official condemned the Taliban’s ban on girls attending health institutes, describing the decision as "short-sighted" and warning that such measures pose serious risks to Afghan women and their future livelihoods. It is worth noting that the UK is among the countries that have referred the Taliban’s violations of Afghan women’s rights to the International Criminal Court.

Zan News: Amnesty International, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, has stated that women in Afghanistan, for the fourth consecutive year, are subjected to the most severe forms of discrimination and "systematic abuses" by Taliban officials. Image: AFP Amnesty International: Afghan Women Face the Most Severe Forms of Discrimination and Systematic Abuses November 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Amnesty International, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, has stated that women in Afghanistan, for the fourth consecutive year, are subjected to the most severe forms of discrimination and "systematic abuses" by Taliban officials. The organization said today, Monday (November 25), that in annual campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence," it will highlight the violence against Afghan women. Amnesty International emphasized that during this campaign, it will address the continuous violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan, reflect the voices of Afghan women and girls and human rights defenders, and will present its request to compel the international community to hold the Taliban accountable. The organization also called on people around the world to join this campaign and show solidarity with Afghan women and girls. It is worth mentioning that the global campaign "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" is organized annually by the United Nations and human rights organizations, starting on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and continuing until December 10, International Human Rights Day. This comes as the Taliban, since their return to power in Afghanistan, have imposed widespread restrictions on the rights and fundamental freedoms of women, depriving them of their basic rights, including the right to work and education. The group has also been accused of widespread suppression of women and committing various forms of violence, including sexual violence, against them.

Zan News: Malala Yousafzai, women’s rights activist and Nobel laureate, stated in an interview with "Kake" TV (affiliated with ABC) that "The Taliban are not the true representatives of Islam and Afghan culture" and that Islam has never prohibited the education and work of women. Photo: AFP Malala Yousafzai: The Taliban Are Not the True Representatives of Islam and Afghan Culture November 19, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Malala Yousafzai, women’s rights activist and Nobel laureate, stated in an interview with "Kake" TV (affiliated with ABC) that "The Taliban are not the true representatives of Islam and Afghan culture" and that Islam has never prohibited the education and work of women. She further emphasized that the lack of global support for Afghan women is a significant mistake, and its consequences will not be limited to Afghanistan alone. Ms. Yousafzai pointed out the long-term impacts of depriving Afghan women of education under the Taliban's rule, stating: "The less Afghan women are educated, the more their children are exposed to dangerous (extremist) ideologies." This comes as the Taliban, since regaining power, have stripped citizens, especially women, of their fundamental rights and freedoms, imposing severe restrictions on their movement within the country, including in parks. The Taliban have also banned girls and women above the sixth grade from attending schools and universities. With the enactment of their new law, the Taliban have also prohibited the voices and faces of women in public spaces, including the voices of adult women in activities such as "Quran recitation, Dhikr, and prayers," when done alongside other adult women. These actions by the Taliban have sparked widespread internal and global reactions, including from Islamic countries and religious scholars, but the Taliban have yet to make any changes to these policies.

Zan News: Local sources in Panjshir report that the Taliban have prohibited the publication of images of living creatures in the province. Photo: Michael O'Connor| U.S. Air Force photo Taliban Ban Publication of Images of Living Creatures in Panjshir January 13, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Panjshir report that the Taliban have prohibited the publication of images of living creatures in the province. Sources stated on Sunday evening (January 12) that the ban on publishing images of living creatures was issued by the Taliban’s Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Panjshir last week. Taliban local authorities emphasized that this order was issued in accordance with Article 17 of the Taliban's Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law and must be strictly enforced. It is worth noting that Panjshir is the eighth province where the Taliban have officially banned the publication of images of living creatures. Prior to this, the Taliban had informally prohibited the photographing of living creatures in over ten other provinces.

Zan News: Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, stated in a message on the "International Day of Women in Diplomacy" that without the inclusion of women in discussions about Afghanistan's future, there can be no solution to the country's challenges. Rina Amiri: Without Women's Participation in Discussions on Afghanistan's Future, There Is No Solution to the Country's Challenges June 26, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, stated in a message on the "International Day of Women in Diplomacy" that without the inclusion of women in discussions about Afghanistan's future, there can be no solution to the country's challenges. In her message posted on social media platform X, Ms. Amiri wrote: "There is no solution to Afghanistan’s peace, security, and sustainability challenges without Afghan women’s participation in discussions about the country’s future." Ms. Amiri's comments come at a time when women have been excluded from the third meeting of special representatives from various countries on Afghanistan, which is scheduled to take place next week in Doha. So far, special representatives from the U.S., including Rina Amiri herself, have not commented on the exclusion of women and civil society representatives from this meeting, which has faced widespread criticism. The meeting, hosted by the United Nations, is set to occur next Sunday and Monday, with only the Taliban invited to participate. The Taliban delegation will be led by the group's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid. The exclusion of women from this meeting has drawn negative reactions from women's rights activists and human rights organizations, who are calling for a boycott of the meeting. Recently, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that the main goal of the meeting is the full integration of Afghanistan into the international community and the country's adherence to international commitments, especially regarding human rights and the rights of women and girls.