Zan News: Following the increase in the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran, the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile has called for an end to this process. The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile Calls for an End to Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Iran September 22, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Following the increase in the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran, the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile has called for an end to this process. Members of this federation emphasized in a protest gathering on Saturday (21 September) that the deportation of journalists, human rights defenders, former government security forces, and individuals at risk must be stopped. In this gathering, federation members requested international organizations supporting journalists to urgently address their cases. They also stated that the Iranian government is forcibly deporting those who have sought refuge in the country, contrary to accepted international standards. They added that they are living in severe fear and anxiety and noted: “Before our lives turn into a tragic disaster, please address our requests.” Meanwhile, the Iranian government has recently increased the deportation of Afghan refugees, and according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, an average of about two thousand Afghan refugees are forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan daily.

Zan News: The "Purple Saturdays" movement, through a public statement, has called on all international organizations to take immediate action to rescue "Qadriya," a woman imprisoned by the Taliban in Baghlan, who recently released an audio recording stating that the Taliban intends to return her to her father’s home, where she could be killed by him. Sent to Zan TV The Purple Saturdays Movement Calls for Immediate Rescue of "Qadriya" April 7, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The "Purple Saturdays" movement, through a public statement, has called on all international organizations to take immediate action to rescue "Qadriya," a woman imprisoned by the Taliban in Baghlan, who recently released an audio recording stating that the Taliban intends to return her to her father’s home, where she could be killed by him. In the statement, released by the movement on Monday (April 7), it is highlighted that by handing Qadriya over to her father, the Taliban has deliberately put her at serious risk of stoning and violent death. The statement emphasizes: "Qadriya is not a criminal; she is a victim of unjust violence." The Purple Saturdays movement strongly condemns the Taliban's actions and urges Amnesty International, the UNAMA office, and the UN Human Rights Council to intervene by ensuring Qadriya's safe passage to a secure country. The movement also calls on all human rights organizations, governments committed to human rights, social activists, and the awakened consciences of the world to take urgent action to support and rescue Qadriya. The statement further reads: "Qadriya is neither a criminal nor a threat; she is a woman who has been a victim of violence and gradual abuse and deserves protection, refuge, and a life of safety."

Zan News - Nimroz: Two children have died in a fire at a grocery store in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province. Two Children Die in a Fire in Nimroz July 6, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Nimroz: Two children have died in a fire at a grocery store in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province. The fire broke out on Friday morning (July 5) in the first district of Zaranj city. It is reported that the store, in addition to selling food, also sold fuel. As a result of the fire, two children lost their lives and a man was injured. Local sources attribute the cause of the fire to the hot weather and the explosion of a petrol-filled bottle. The Taliban in Nimroz have also confirmed the occurrence of this fire.

Zan News - Badakhshan: Local sources in Badakhshan have reported that the Taliban have prohibited the simultaneous visits of male and female patients to the Badakhshan provincial hospital. Photo: Pajhwok Taliban Bans Simultaneous Visits of Women and Men to Hospital in Badakhshan October 15, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Badakhshan: Local sources in Badakhshan have reported that the Taliban have prohibited the simultaneous visits of male and female patients to the Badakhshan provincial hospital. According to sources, the Taliban’s Public Health Directorate in Badakhshan made this decision following pressure from the Propagation of Virtue agents in the province. Sources stated that under this decision, male and female patients will now visit the hospital at separate times, although emergency patients will be exempt from this rule. Meanwhile, residents of Badakhshan have reacted to this decision, stating that it makes access to healthcare services more difficult for patients. This decision comes at a time when the Taliban have issued numerous restrictive and gender-discriminatory orders since their return to power in Afghanistan.

Zan News: The British Embassy has called the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan a "disaster" and has urged the Taliban to lift this restriction. Photo: ABC News British Embassy: Ban on Girls' Education in Afghanistan is a Disaster March 23, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The British Embassy has called the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan a "disaster" and has urged the Taliban to lift this restriction. The embassy wrote on X on Sunday (23 March) that with the start of the new academic year in Afghanistan, 400,000 more girls have been deprived of education, bringing the total number of girls deprived of education to 2.2 million. The British Embassy stated: "This is a disaster for the girls and their country. Education is a right, not a privilege. We call on the Taliban to lift this ban." It is worth noting that after taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women, banning the education of girls above the sixth grade. With the beginning of the new academic year, secondary schools and high schools have remained closed to girls for the fourth consecutive year.

Zan TV: Afghanistan's First Channel by and for Women. Watch breaking news, special reports, and more. About Us Empowering Afghan Women Through Media: Zan TV is devoted to uplifting Afghan women by equipping them with essential media skills and amplifying their voices. Our goal is to inspire societal change, foster equality, and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. Biography Hamid Samar is an Afghan media entrepreneur and visionary leader, best known as the founder and president of Zan TV, the first television channel in Afghanistan dedicated exclusively to women’s voices and stories. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven him to establish multiple successful ventures, creating employment opportunities for Afghans both within the country and abroad. In 2016, Samar founded RASA TV in Nengarhar province, demonstrating his dedication to expanding media access across Afghanistan. Building on this achievement, he launched Zan TV in 2017, a trailblazing platform that quickly gained national and international acclaim for its commitment to empowering Afghan women through media. Zan TV became a symbol of hope and resilience, offering women a space to express themselves, report on issues relevant to their lives, and challenge societal norms. Samar’s passion for media innovation led to the creation of Zan Media Academy, the first hands-on media training center for women journalists in Afghanistan, equipping them with practical skills and confidence in their craft. Amid the significant challenges following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Samar’s leadership has kept Zan TV alive, adapting to restrictions while maintaining its mission of advocating for Afghan women. His unwavering dedication serves as an inspiration, underscoring his belief in the power of media to foster change and promote equality. Hamid Samar CEO and founder of Zan TV Overview Zan TV, founded in 2017 in Afghanistan, has a primary goal of empowering women in various aspects of life. The channel's programs are not limited to just providing information but also delve into the broader implications, encouraging critical thinking and enhancing the audience's comprehension of women's empowerment and its effects on societal progress. Zan TV is committed to equipping women with the necessary skills in media production, utilizing a range of technologies to help them grasp fundamental concepts and enhance their technical expertise. This enables them to discern captivating and educational content, aimed at informing, educating, inspiring, and influencing behavior change among millions of women in Afghanistan. Ultimately, this has the potential to reshape societal perceptions of women and revolutionize their status in the country. Objective By empowering women, Zan TV believes that it can drive economic growth and development while eradicating all forms of discrimination against women. The channel's efforts are geared towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable society where women are not only empowered but also respected and valued for their contributions. Through its diverse range of programs and training initiatives, Zan TV aims to create a platform where women can thrive professionally and personally, ultimately leading to a positive impact on the lives of women across Afghanistan. By championing women's empowerment, Zan TV is paving the way for a brighter future where women are seen as equal partners in progress and are able to fulfill their potential without any barriers or limitations Vission and Mission Our mission is to give Afghan women center stage in digital media, consulting their political, economic, social, cultural, and psychological status. A platform where they can showcase her achievements and strengths, share her innovative ideas and concepts, discuss her challenges and issues, and voice their opinions against violence, harassment, and gender-based discrimination. Our vision is equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal participation of men and women in society to enhance our chance of achieving development goals.

Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar province report that the Taliban prison warden in this province forcibly married a girl prisoner. Social Media Taliban Prison Warden in Nangarhar Has Forcibly Married a Girl Prisoner November 18, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar province report that the Taliban prison warden in this province forcibly married a girl prisoner. Sources stated on Monday (November 18) that the Taliban prison warden in Nangarhar, Mawlavi Mohammad Muqtada, forcibly married a young girl. According to the sources, this young girl and another boy, who had fled from Pakistan, were captured and imprisoned by the Taliban in Nangarhar. The sources indicated that after releasing the boy, Mawlavi Mohammad Muqtada married the girl. This Taliban official released the boy under the condition that he would not disclose the matter. Another source added that Mawlavi Mohammad Muqtada has provided the girl with a separate house in Jalalabad city, where they are now living together. So far, the Taliban in Nangarhar have not made any statements regarding this matter. Meanwhile, the Taliban punish women accused of fleeing home in public. Previously, the Taliban also forcibly married a young girl in the Chah-Āb district of Takhar.

Zan News: A number of protesting women have described the arrest of Afghan migrants by Pakistani police as a violation of human rights and expressed their concern about the continuation of this process. Social Media Window of Hope Women's Movement: The Arrest and Expulsion of Afghan Migrants by Pakistan Is a Violation of Human Rights January 6, 2025 Zan News Zan News: A number of protesting women have described the arrest of Afghan migrants by Pakistani police as a violation of human rights and expressed their concern about the continuation of this process. The Window of Hope Women's Movement, in a statement, has said that if migrants are expelled from Pakistan, they will face threats from the Taliban. The movement emphasized that many Afghan migrants in Pakistan have fled from the Taliban and are awaiting the completion of their asylum applications to a third country. The statement reads: "The Women’s Hope Window Movement considers the forced expulsion and harassment of Afghan migrants, especially women and children, from Pakistan as a clear violation of human rights." The Window of Hope Women's Movement has called on the United Nations and human rights organizations to immediately intervene to stop the actions of the Pakistani government regarding the arrest of migrants. This comes as Pakistani police have recently begun arresting migrants without permits and are conducting searches of their homes.

Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized during a UN Security Council meeting focused on peace and women's rights that the Taliban's policies do not represent the Islamic values and culture of the Afghan people. Photo: UN Photo/Manuel Elías Nasir Ahmad Faiq: Taliban Policies Do Not Reflect Islamic Values and Afghan Culture October 26, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized during a UN Security Council meeting focused on peace and women's rights that the Taliban's policies do not represent the Islamic values and culture of the Afghan people. Today, Saturday (26 October), Faiq published the text of his speech on X, stating that the Taliban have violated international commitments regarding human rights in Afghanistan, and Afghan women and girls are facing severe humanitarian crises due to the group's imposed gender apartheid. He referenced the protection of women's rights under the previous regime, noting that the Taliban have issued over 90 oppressive decrees that have led to violations of women's rights. Faiq also clarified that "these issues go beyond gender and create national crises with profound impacts on the future of Afghanistan's economy." The text of his speech also states that the international community should not remain neutral in the face of the Taliban's violations of Afghan women's rights and that the UN should recognize the Taliban's gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. Faiq's key demands from the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, include the necessity of exerting pressure on the Taliban, recognizing gender apartheid, ensuring inclusive peace in Afghanistan, and allocating financial resources to support Afghan women. These statements come after Faiq also highlighted last week in the Third Committee of the 79th UN General Assembly that the current situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule requires decisive, principled, and united actions from the international community.

Zan News: Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, has once again criticized the ban on women's and girls' education, describing it as an "injustice" against half of Afghanistan's population. Social Media Stanekzai: Ban on Women's Education is an "Injustice" and Contrary to Sharia January 19, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, has once again criticized the ban on women's and girls' education, describing it as an "injustice" against half of Afghanistan's population. On Saturday, January 18, during a graduation ceremony for students of a religious school in Khost province, Stanekzai emphasized that the current approach of the Taliban is not in accordance with Islamic Sharia but rather stems from the "nature" of the group. In his speech, he stated: "All their (women's) rights have been violated. They are denied inheritance, have no right to choose their husband, are given away in forced marriages, are not allowed to study, are not allowed to go to mosques. Universities are closed, and even religious schools are prohibited for them. Are we truly acting in accordance with Sharia?" The Deputy Foreign Minister also noted that the primary disagreement between the international community and the Taliban lies in the ban on women's and girls' education. He urged Taliban leaders to open the doors of education to everyone, both men and women. He added: "There has never been, is not, and will never be any justification for this matter." These remarks come as the Taliban, since their return to power in Afghanistan, have banned girls from attending schools and universities and have ignored domestic and international calls to reopen them. Additionally, the Taliban have prohibited women from working and even banned their voices from being heard in public spaces. Abbas Stanekzai has previously called for reopening schools for girls on several occasions.