Zan News: The United Nations Human Rights Council has responded to the restrictions and punishments imposed on protesting women and girls in Afghanistan, stating that women who protest against Taliban policies are deprived of their rights to peaceful and freedom of expression and face severe penalties. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain UN Human Rights Council: Taliban Restrictions on Afghan Women Amount to Systematic Gender-Based Persecution September 5, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Human Rights Council has responded to the restrictions and punishments imposed on protesting women and girls in Afghanistan, stating that women who protest against Taliban policies are deprived of their rights to peaceful and freedom of expression and face severe penalties. In a report released for the 57th annual session of the Human Rights Council, it emphasized that the Taliban have continued to impose widespread restrictions on Afghan women and girls through a series of decrees. According to the council, these restrictions have "effectively eliminated women and girls' opportunities in public, social, and political life." The UN Human Rights Council also pointed to the widespread and systematic nature of the control and restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls, describing it as a form of systematic gender-based persecution. The report highlighted the severe restrictions imposed on women's freedom of movement, stating that women are required to have a male companion for journeys over 78 kilometers. Additionally, women's employment has been reduced to sectors such as health, primary education, and limited activities in the production and administrative sectors. The report further stated that on March 20, 2024, the academic year began in Afghanistan, but girls are still barred from attending schools due to the Taliban's ban. The report also mentioned the reduction of salaries for female government employees to 5,000 Afghanis. While the UN Human Rights Council criticizes the Taliban's restrictions, the group has, since returning to power in Afghanistan, banned girls above the sixth grade from education and prevented female students from attending public and private universities and private schools. The international community has repeatedly called for the lifting of the ban on women's right to education and work in Afghanistan over the past three years, but the Taliban have so far ignored these calls.

Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the UN Women, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have reported in their quarterly report that the majority of Afghan women want to participate in international decision-making about their country. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Three UN Agencies: Afghan Women Demand Participation in International Decision-Making Regarding Afghanistan July 24, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the UN Women, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have reported in their quarterly report that the majority of Afghan women want to participate in international decision-making about their country. This report, published on Wednesday (July 24), is based on surveys and interviews with 888 women in 33 provinces of Afghanistan, conducted from April 17 to April 29 of this year. According to the report, 59 percent of women and 36 percent of men interviewed by these organizations said that women should have a 50 percent share in all decision-making related to Afghanistan. Interviewees emphasized that the international community should create a mechanism that allows women to have decision-making power. The report states: "Fewer women were interested in having the international community advocate on their behalf." Meanwhile, the women interviewed supported engaging with the Taliban through international institutions. Additionally, 54 percent of both women and men completely rejected the formal recognition of the Taliban. Only four percent and three percent of individuals supported recognizing the current authorities. Women pointed out that they do not have access to a formal mechanism for dispute resolution and that Taliban officials are not accountable for the few rights allocated to them. This report comes as the Taliban, with their control over Afghanistan, have imposed many restrictions on women in the country. Women have been barred from university education and from working in many government offices. The Taliban have also imposed numerous restrictions on women's freedom of movement. It is noteworthy that in the third Doha meeting, the Taliban requested the exclusion of women from the session, and women were not present in the main dialogue of this meeting, which was initiated by the United Nations.

Zan News: In response to the endorsement of the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law by the Taliban leader, the Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom has called on the United Nations to prevent the enforcement of this law. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom Urges UN to Prevent Implementation of Taliban's Virtue Law August 24, 2024 Zan News Zan News: In response to the endorsement of the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law by the Taliban leader, the Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom has called on the United Nations to prevent the enforcement of this law. In a statement released last Friday (August 23), the movement stated that this law could pave the way for the implementation of gender apartheid policies in Afghanistan. The Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom has also urged Afghan citizens to resist the Taliban's misogynistic policies and stand in solidarity with women. The statement reads: "The Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom once again calls on the United Nations and the international community to understand the dire current conditions of Afghan women and to cease the policy of engagement and appeasement with the terrorist group Taliban." This comes as the Taliban's "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, which has been ratified into effect with four chapters and 37 articles, imposes severe restrictions on women's dress and behavior in society. The law defines women's voices, faces, and bodies as "awrah" (parts of the body that must be covered) and their appearance in public places is considered a crime.

Zan News: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Afghanistan says that the economic and human rights situation for women and girls in the country remains critical and dire. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain UN: Economic and Human Rights Situation for Afghan Women Remains Dire August 19, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Afghanistan says that the economic and human rights situation for women and girls in the country remains critical and dire. In a message posted on its X account, the UNHCR described the humanitarian situation for women in Afghanistan as "unsafe," emphasizing that Afghan women and girls require more aid and support. According to UN statistics, 23.7 million people in Afghanistan are in need of humanitarian assistance, with women and children making up about 80% of those in need. It's worth noting that after taking power, the Taliban not only imposed various restrictions but also banned women from working. This ban extends to work in UN offices and humanitarian organizations. These restrictions have not only created economic difficulties and eliminated income sources for women but have also posed serious challenges to the process of aid delivery. Previously, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that 90% of households headed by women in Afghanistan do not have sufficient access to food.

Zan News: In the latest joint report by the "Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security" and the Oslo Peace Research Institute, Afghanistan under Taliban rule has been identified as the "worst" country in the world for women. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule Recognized as the "Worst" Country for Women September 3, 2024 Zan News Zan News: In the latest joint report by the "Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security" and the Oslo Peace Research Institute, Afghanistan under Taliban rule has been identified as the "worst" country in the world for women. On Tuesday (September 3), IntelliNews reported that Afghanistan ranks last among 177 countries in the Women, Peace, and Security Index, according to the findings of this report. The report evaluates the situation of women across 13 different indicators, including justice and security, education, maternal mortality, employment, systematic violence, and gender-based violence. The authors of the report assigned this rating based on several 'bitter' examples, including the Taliban's revenge killings of women and their forced disappearances. Additionally, the report notes that due to the worsening healthcare situation in Afghanistan, the country now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 620 deaths per 100,000 live births. The report also highlights the Taliban's "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, stating that the group has imposed new restrictions on women. According to the report, following Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Yemen are ranked as the worst countries for women, while Denmark, Switzerland, and Sweden are recognized as the top three countries in terms of women's well-being. This comes as the Taliban have enacted strict laws against women since taking control of Afghanistan. Last year, Afghanistan was also ranked last among 177 countries in terms of women's progress.

Zan News: The Malala Yousafzai Foundation, led by Nobel laureate and girls' education advocate Malala Yousafzai, has announced its support for women's rights activists in Afghanistan working to recognize "gender apartheid" in international law. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Malala Yousafzai Foundation: We Support Recognizing Gender Apartheid in International Laws September 5, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Malala Yousafzai Foundation, led by Nobel laureate and girls' education advocate Malala Yousafzai, has announced its support for women's rights activists in Afghanistan working to recognize "gender apartheid" in international law. In a statement released on Thursday (September 5) marking the tenth anniversary of its activities, the foundation reiterated its concern about the halt to girls' education in Afghanistan. The Malala Yousafzai Foundation emphasized that over the past year, it has increased funding for Afghan girls' education. The statement read: "In the past year, we have strengthened our commitment to Afghan girls and women by launching various programs and providing additional funding for online education programs for girls who have been deprived of education." According to the statement, the Malala Yousafzai Foundation has supported 21.8 million students in different countries over the past 10 years. It is noteworthy that a few months ago, the foundation also announced it had donated $1.5 million for girls' education in Afghanistan. This comes as numerous human rights activists and some global organizations have called for the recognition of "gender apartheid" in international laws due to the severe violation of women's rights by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Zan News: Members of the UN Security Council have issued a statement expressing deep concern over the Taliban's new law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, strongly condemning the continued gender discrimination and suppression of women and girls in Afghanistan. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain UN Security Council: Taliban's Law on Promotion of Virtue Deepens Gender Discrimination September 7, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Members of the UN Security Council have issued a statement expressing deep concern over the Taliban's new law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, strongly condemning the continued gender discrimination and suppression of women and girls in Afghanistan. The statement was issued on Friday (September 6) by representatives of 12 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Japan, and others. In the statement, Security Council members emphasized that this law imposes further unacceptable restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Afghan people. They have called on the Taliban to immediately revoke policies and practices that hinder women and girls from enjoying their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Security Council members stated that respect for the rights of women and girls is essential for achieving a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. They also referred to the ban on the entry of Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and described this decision as disturbing. Security Council members said the Special Rapporteur must be able to fully carry out his mandate. It is worth noting that the Taliban, while intensifying restrictions on the freedom and rights of Afghan citizens, have also banned the visit of Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The group has accused Richard Bennett of "propaganda" against them and said that he is exaggerating small issues.

Zan News: The Taliban Ministry of Justice has announced that Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group's leader, has enacted the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, which is now in effect in Afghanistan. File photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Taliban Enact "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" Law; Women’s Voices Considered 'Awrah' August 22, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban Ministry of Justice has announced that Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group's leader, has enacted the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, which is now in effect in Afghanistan. This law, consisting of a preamble, four chapters, and 35 articles, was published in the official gazette on Wednesday (August 21). According to this law, covering the entire body of women is mandatory, and covering the face is considered necessary to "prevent fitna". Additionally, women's voices are deemed "awrah" and the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, along with its enforcers, are responsible for implementing this law in accordance with Sharia and Hanafi jurisprudence. Article 13 of the law is dedicated to the provisions related to women's hijab and includes clauses that emphasize the "necessity of covering the entire body of women" and that "women's voices (singing loudly, reciting naats, and recitation in public) are awrah." This article also states that women are obligated to conceal their bodies and faces from unrelated men and that the use of thin, short, and tight clothing is prohibited for them. In this article, "a mature man looking at the body and face of an unrelated woman, and a mature woman looking at an unrelated man" is deemed haram (forbidden). The law also addresses the provisions related to men's dress and emphasizes that "the awrah of men is from the navel to the knees" and that men are obligated to "dress in a way that conceals their awrah when engaging in leisure activities and sports, provided that the clothing is not too tight and does not reveal the shape of their limbs." In addition, the new Taliban law gives the enforcers of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice the responsibility to compel the media to publish content that does not contradict Sharia and does not contain images of living beings. Furthermore, playing music in vehicles, transporting unveiled women, and transporting women who do not have a sane and mature male guardian are prohibited. This law also considers Nowruz and Yalda Night, fireworks, shaving beards, wearing ties, haircuts that contradict Islamic Sharia, women's voices being heard outside the home, and watching pictures and videos of living beings on computers and mobile phones as "specific vices," and enforcers are obligated to prevent them. Various punishments, including advice, verbal threats, fines, and imprisonment, have been prescribed for those who violate this law. The publication of this law comes as the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has imposed widespread restrictions on the basic freedoms of citizens, especially women, over the past three years, and has repeatedly arrested women and young girls from the streets on charges of immodesty. According to reports from the United Nations Human Rights Office and human rights organizations, this ministry, along with the General Directorate of Intelligence and Taliban security commandos, is primarily responsible for the suppression of women, journalists, human rights defenders, and ethnic and religious minorities.

Zan News: A new study on the economic consequences of the exclusion of women and girls in Afghanistan from education and work reveals that these restrictions cost the Afghan economy over $1.4 billion annually. File photo: Sgt. Ken Scar / DVIDS / Public Domain Annual Loss of $1.4 Billion to Afghanistan Due to Women’s Exclusion from Education and Work January 4, 2025 Zan News Zan News: A new study on the economic consequences of the exclusion of women and girls in Afghanistan from education and work reveals that these restrictions cost the Afghan economy over $1.4 billion annually. The study was conducted by Harry Anthony Patrinos, the head of educational policy at the University of Arkansas, Raja Bentawi Kattan, an education expert at the World Bank, and Rafiuddin Najm, an economist at the American University. The results of the study, using labor force and household data from Afghanistan for the years 2007, 2014, and 2020, were published and shared on the Conversation website. The researchers emphasized that the financial loss caused by the exclusion of women and girls from education and work is greater than previous estimates made by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Two years ago, UNICEF had stated that the ban on girls’ secondary education had caused at least $500 million in damage to Afghanistan's economy. However, this new study indicates that the calculated financial loss only includes economic damages and does not account for the social costs resulting from reduced educational levels of women, such as negative impacts on health, children’s education, and social inequalities. To highlight this economic blow, the researchers pointed out that Afghanistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023 was only $17 billion. They stressed that investing in women’s education not only leads to economic growth but also improves public health, reduces poverty, and creates long-term social benefits, such as higher school attendance rates and improved child health. The researchers also emphasized that continuing the bans will eliminate educational and economic opportunities for generations and will lead Afghanistan into even deeper challenges. A part of the study mentions that investment in women’s education not only impacts the women themselves but also brings economic and social benefits that can continue for future generations. These benefits include higher school attendance rates and better child health. The study’s findings also show that by providing educational opportunities for women and girls, child mortality rates have been reduced by half, and Gross National Income per capita has nearly tripled. In their analysis, the researchers highlighted the role of education in economic growth, stating that the global average return on investment in education for each additional year of schooling is approximately 9%. In Afghanistan, this return is low, but when focusing on women’s education, this number significantly increases. According to the findings of this study, for each additional year of education for a woman, her income increases by an average of 13%.

Zan News: The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that millions of people in Afghanistan are in urgent need of assistance. File photo: Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika / U.S. Army National Guard / Public Domain World Food Program: Millions in Afghanistan Need Urgent Aid January 7, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that millions of people in Afghanistan are in urgent need of assistance. In a post released on Tuesday (7 January) on X, the organization stated that most of these families are forced to choose between food and keeping their children warm. Expressing concern over the economic crisis in Afghanistan, the World Food Program has called for immediate aid. The organization had previously stated that it would need $718 million to provide humanitarian aid for the next six months. According to the organization, five million people in Afghanistan are unsure where their next meal will come from. Additionally, one million of these people live in hard-to-reach areas such as Badakhshan, Ghor, Bamyan, and Daikundi. This comes at a time when, since the return of the Taliban to power, many people in Afghanistan are grappling with economic difficulties and poverty. Meanwhile, the Taliban, despite its inability to manage the economic crisis, is trying to limit or stop the operations of some foreign aid organizations.