Zan News: The United Nations has announced that over 500,000 children in Afghanistan are at risk of malnutrition this year. Photo: UNICEF/Thomas Nybo United Nations: Over 500,000 Children in Afghanistan Face Risk of Malnutrition January 16, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations has announced that over 500,000 children in Afghanistan are at risk of malnutrition this year. On Wednesday (January 15), the organization emphasized on its X account that cold weather and limited access to food have made it difficult for people to provide food for their families. According to the UN, the World Food Programme in Afghanistan is working to assist millions of children this year. Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently reported that approximately 475,000 children suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan were treated in 2024. In its annual report, UNICEF described 2024 as one of the worst years for children in conflict-affected areas and stressed that the impact of wars on children worldwide has reached a devastating level.

Zan News: The Purple Saturdays Movement, in a statement, has accused the Taliban of systematically supporting terrorist groups and engaging in international blackmail. Sent To Zan TV Purple Saturdays Movement: Taliban Threaten Global Security by Supporting Terrorism and Engaging in International Blackmail February 15, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Purple Saturdays Movement, in a statement, has accused the Taliban of systematically supporting terrorist groups and engaging in international blackmail. The statement was released today, Saturday (February 15), alongside videos of protest gatherings by movement members in closed-door locations in Ghor, Parwan, and Kabul provinces. The statement asserts that since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have not only failed to fulfill their commitments to sever ties with terrorist groups but have also strengthened these groups through financial, arms, human, and infrastructural support. According to the movement, Afghanistan has become a hub for transnational terrorism, with simultaneous membership of individuals in the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist groups becoming a systematic phenomenon. The Purple Saturdays Movement emphasized that the Taliban, through dual policies and narrative engineering, are not only plundering natural resources and illegally exploiting humanitarian aid but are also using funds allocated for counter-terrorism and drug trafficking control to bolster terrorist infrastructure. This strategy aims at geopolitical blackmail and threatening international security, while the international community's tactical engagement with the Taliban has deepened the crisis of legitimacy and governance in Afghanistan. The statement also criticized the handover of some Afghan diplomatic missions to the Taliban, calling it a violation of diplomatic principles and international law. The movement called on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate practical measures to halt this trend, stressing that the formal transfer of diplomatic premises to the Taliban equates to legitimizing an imposed, authoritarian, and human rights-violating regime. The Purple Saturdays Movement also pointed to the lack of a comprehensive political alternative to the Taliban as one of the factors perpetuating the crisis in Afghanistan. It urged opposition forces to focus on creating a shared political system centered on institutions rather than individuals, paving the way for a united front to restore legitimate governance. In conclusion, the movement identified the solution to Afghanistan's crisis as the establishment of a decentralized (federal) political system based on democracy, civil rights, and social justice. It called on the international community to support this path and refrain from any actions that could legitimize the Taliban.

Zan News - Badghis: Local sources in Badghis province have reported the suicide of a young woman in Sang Atish district due to forced marriage. ​ A Young Woman in Badghis Committed Self-Immolation Due to Forced Marriage June 4, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Badghis: Local sources in Badghis province have reported the suicide of a young woman in Sang Atish district due to forced marriage. According to these sources, the young woman, who was about 25 years old, set herself on fire after her family arranged her marriage to a married man. The incident occurred two days ago in the center of Sang Atish district. Local sources cite domestic violence and the young woman's lack of consent to the marriage as the reasons for the suicide. However, Siddiqullah Siddiqe, spokesman for the Taliban police command in Badghis, while confirming the suicide, says that the exact reason for the woman's suicide has not yet been fully determined. Siddiqe adds: "This woman had no problems at home, and her suicide is not due to domestic violence." Siddiqe emphasizes that the young woman had been married for two years and, according to her neighbors, she had a good life and was happy with it. It is worth noting that women's suicides in Afghanistan have increased, especially in recent months. Mental illness, forced marriages, domestic violence, poverty, and unemployment are among the factors that contribute to this problem. In the meantime, with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, many women's rights organizations have been shut down. This has left women without any support when facing domestic violence and other problems, including forced marriages, making them more vulnerable.

Zan News: Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan female athlete who left Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power, is now aiming for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Photo: Wikipedia Zakia Khudadadi, Afghan Female Athlete, Striving for Gold Medal at Paris 2024 Paralympics August 7, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan female athlete who left Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power, is now aiming for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Ms. Khudadadi says she is competing in the name of Afghan women and girls who have gradually been deprived of their social, educational, and political rights over the past three years. In an interview with the Associated Press, she stated, "It is hard for me because I would love to compete under my country's flag; but life for all girls and women in Afghanistan is banned. Today, I am here in Paris to win a medal for them. I want to show all the women and girls in Afghanistan strength." According to the Associated Press, this Paralympic taekwondo athlete made history in Tokyo 2021 by becoming the first Afghan female athlete to participate in an international sports event after the Taliban's takeover. She was initially banned from competing when the Taliban regained power but was allowed to compete for her country after leaving Afghanistan and the international community's appeal. The report states that Khudadadi began practicing taekwondo at the age of 11 and trained secretly in a gym in her hometown of Herat, as there were simply no safe opportunities for women to practice sports in Afghanistan. Despite the restrictive culture around her, she received support and encouragement from her family. Zakia Khudadadi is set to compete for the Paralympic Refugee Team, while other athletes, such as Olympian runner Kimia Yousofi, have sought medals under the Afghan flag. Kimia Yousofi placed 31st among 36 athletes. Khudadadi, noting that her disability was also a significant challenge, emphasized that her struggle is not only for herself but for all women and girls in Afghanistan.

Zan News - Farah: A clash between members of two families in Farah province resulted in three deaths and two injuries. Three Killed in Clash Between Two Families in Farah June 20, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Farah: A clash between members of two families in Farah province resulted in three deaths and two injuries. Mohammad Yaseen Abu Dujana, the Taliban district governor for Parchaman district in Farah, reported on Wednesday (June 19) that the incident occurred in the village of "Bashang" on the first day of Eid al-Adha. According to him, a man, a woman, and a child lost their lives in the clash. The Taliban added that the perpetrators of this clash have fled to Helmand province, and efforts to arrest them are ongoing. However, the Taliban have not provided details regarding the cause of the clash between the two families.

Zan News - Badakhshan: A 19-year-old girl in Badakhshan province drowned and died while trying to save her niece from the Kokcha River. A Young Girl Drowns in the Kokcha River in Badakhshan July 13, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Badakhshan: A 19-year-old girl in Badakhshan province drowned and died while trying to save her niece from the Kokcha River. Zabihullah Amiri, the head of information and culture for the Taliban in Badakhshan province, said that the incident occurred on the morning of Friday, July 12, in the "Layaba" area of Faizabad city, the provincial capital. According to Amiri, the young girl drowned while attempting to rescue her niece from the water. He added, "The five-year-old child was saved from the river, but her aunt, who went into the water to rescue her, drowned and died." Amiri noted that the body of the young girl has not yet been found, and the search for her body continues. He also mentioned that the young girl had gone to the Kokcha River with her family for recreation. This incident follows another one that occurred a week ago, where an 18-year-old boy drowned and died while swimming in the Kokcha River. It is worth mentioning that during the hot season, cases of drowning in water are reported from other provinces as well, mostly from the east and south of the country.

Zan News: On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Women stated that in 2023, one woman was deliberately killed every 10 minutes worldwide by family members or other individuals. Image: un women UN Women: In 2023, A Woman Was Intentionally Killed Every 10 Minutes Worldwide November 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News: On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Women stated that in 2023, one woman was deliberately killed every 10 minutes worldwide by family members or other individuals. In a statement released on Monday, November 25, the organization urged world leaders to "unite without excuse" to end violence against women. According to the statement, around 60% of these women were killed by their husbands or family members. It also stated that one in three women has experienced violence during her lifetime. UN Women also highlighted that girls are more vulnerable to violence. The statement noted that one in four adolescent girls has been abused by a partner. The organization further emphasized that most of the killings of women are gender-based. The statement said: "This is a global problem and the most brutal, visible, and extreme manifestation of the cycle of gender-based violence that women and girls endure." UN Women also reported that cases of violence against women are rising globally and announced the launch of a 16-day campaign to combat violence against women in South Asia and the Pacific region. According to the organization, this campaign is seen as an opportunity to revive commitments and call for accountability and action from global decision-makers to end violence against women. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, since the Taliban's return to power, women have faced various forms of physical and psychological violence. Although the exact statistics on the murder of women in the country are unclear, a large number of women and girls have been deliberately killed over the past three years.

Zan News - Kunduz: The Taliban in Kunduz province have imprisoned a girl named Shaista in the provincial center for opposing a forced marriage to a man she has never met. Taliban Imprison a Girl in Kunduz for Opposing Forced Marriage June 29, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Kunduz: The Taliban in Kunduz province have imprisoned a girl named Shaista in the provincial center for opposing a forced marriage to a man she has never met. Local sources confirmed to the media on Saturday (29 June) that the Taliban have imprisoned the girl and her father in the Kunduz provincial center for the past four days. According to the sources, Maulwi Rahmatullah Hanafi, head of the Criminal Court of the Kunduz Primary City Court, has warned that if the girl does not agree to the marriage, he will perform her nikah (marriage contract) next Saturday. Sources add that Shaista was engaged to a man she had never met a year ago by her father's decision. Shaista is 25 years old and a vaccinator. She is absolutely not willing to marry a man she does not know. Sources say that the girl's fiancé has the support of the Taliban. This comes as forced and early marriages among girls have increased since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan and have become a serious concern for UN human rights bodies. It is worth mentioning that Taliban commanders, after reclaiming control of the country, have engaged in polygamy, and this practice continues despite the leader of the group's directive prohibiting it.

Zan News: The Taliban, continuing their practice of field punishments, publicly flogged 13 individuals, including five women, in Jawzjan province. Social Media Taliban Flogged 13 People, Including Five Women, in Jawzjan March 1, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban, continuing their practice of field punishments, publicly flogged 13 individuals, including five women, in Jawzjan province. The Taliban governor's press office in Jawzjan announced yesterday that this punishment was carried out in the presence of several officials from the group. According to the Taliban court's verdict, each of these individuals received between 29 to 39 lashes. However, the released statement did not provide any details regarding the charges brought against these individuals. It is worth noting that since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, despite widespread criticism from human rights organizations, the Taliban have continued to conduct field trials and implement corporal punishments in public.

Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's representative to the United Nations, in response to the statements made by Abbas Stanekzai, the political deputy of the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Taliban's hostility towards women has caused defamation to the culture of the Afghan people and the religion of Islam. Faiq: The Taliban's Hostility Towards Women Has Defamed Islam and Afghan Culture December 24, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's representative to the United Nations, in response to the statements made by Abbas Stanekzai, the political deputy of the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Taliban's hostility towards women has caused defamation to the culture of the Afghan people and the religion of Islam. Faiq made these remarks on Monday (December 23) in a post on X, addressing Stanekzai, writing that the Taliban had been hostile to the people of Afghanistan in the past and continue to be so now. He emphasized that the policies and actions of the Taliban have isolated Afghanistan and driven its people towards poverty and helplessness. The representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations clarified that diplomatic slogans no longer have any value among the people of Afghanistan. He also pointed out that the past four years have been a major test of the actions and claims of the Taliban. Meanwhile, the political deputy of the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a meeting in Kabul that the Taliban, in alignment with regional countries, are confronting the West. He said that the Taliban are standing against U.S. and Western pressures by improving relations with Iran.