Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women have caused long-term harm. Photo: UNAMAnews/X UNAMA: Taliban Restrictions on Women in Afghanistan Cause Long-Term Harm February 18, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women have caused long-term harm. In a statement on Tuesday (February 18), UNAMA shared a photo of Rosa Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, at a meeting organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), emphasizing that more constructive discussions on the situation of women in Afghanistan are essential. UNAMA added: "Afghanistan is a place where restrictions on education, work, and access to healthcare have caused long-term damage." The office emphasized the urgent need for meaningful participation of women in these areas. It is worth noting that since their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban have deprived women and girls of their right to access education, employment, and personal freedoms. Despite widespread condemnation from international bodies and human rights organizations, the group continues to impose increasing restrictions.

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: David Sproule, Canada's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, met with a group of Afghan women’s rights defenders and social and political activists. Sent to Zan News Canada's Special Envoy Meets with Afghan Activists October 30, 2024 Zan News Zan News: David Sproule, Canada's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, met with a group of Afghan women’s rights defenders and social and political activists. The meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, addressed the challenges faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule, the situation of Afghan refugees in third countries, and how Canada might collaborate to support them. This meeting took place just days after Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, described the conditions for women under Taliban rule as "cruel and horrifying" in a session with Afghans living in Canada, emphasizing the urgent need to focus on human rights in Afghanistan. These meetings and discussions come amid a recent surge of severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan citizens, especially women.

Zan News - Kabul: The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has provided cash assistance to 3.5 million people in Afghanistan in the four months of this year. WFP has Provided Cash Assistance to 3.5 Million Afghans in the Four Months of this Year June 10, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Kabul: The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has provided cash assistance to 3.5 million people in Afghanistan in the four months of this year. In a message posted on its X account on Sunday (June 9), the organization said that the aim of this assistance was to provide people with the means to buy food and strengthen local markets in the country. However, the WFP did not disclose details of the amount of cash assistance distributed. It is worth noting that since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, several international organizations, including the United Nations, have declared that the country is facing a severe food, unemployment, and health crisis in addition to the political crisis. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also said that livelihoods and food security are at risk in Afghanistan.

Zan News: Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, has announced the end of her mission. Photo: AFP Rina Amiri Announces the End of Her Mission as the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights January 20, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, has announced the end of her mission. In a farewell letter published on Sunday night (January 19), Amiri wrote that "defending the brave women and men of Afghanistan at the forefront of the fight for a rights-based and inclusive Afghanistan has been a great honor." She added in the letter that much work remains to hold the Taliban accountable and to utilize the efforts of women leaders and human rights defenders. Amiri emphasized that efforts must continue to convince the Taliban to revoke their damaging decrees that have deprived women and girls of their rights, mobility, education, livelihood, voice, and access to medical institutions. She also stressed that the Taliban should be urged to respect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities and end the culture of fear and intimidation. Amiri continued, "The world must stand with the brave women and men of Afghanistan, whose greatest hope is a stable, secure Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbors. This is both a moral and strategic imperative for the region and the world." It is important to note that Rina Amiri was appointed as the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan in late 2021. However, it is still unclear whether a new person will replace her or if the position will be eliminated. Recently, the U.S. Department of State also abolished the position of Special Representative for Afghanistan.

Zan News - Pakistan: Members of the Fanous Freedom Women's Movement, residing in Pakistan, have held a protest, expressing deep concern over the arrest of Jawid Kohistani, a political analyst, by the Taliban, and demanding his immediate release. Sent to Zan TV Afghan Women Activists in Pakistan Protest the Arrest of Jawid Kohistani by the Taliban October 2, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Pakistan: Members of the Fanous Freedom Women's Movement, residing in Pakistan, have held a protest, expressing deep concern over the arrest of Jawid Kohistani, a political analyst, by the Taliban, and demanding his immediate release. The protesters said today, Wednesday (October 2), that Kohistani's family has had no information about his health or fate for the past three days. The protesters also mentioned that Mr. Kohistani suffers from heart disease and urgently needs medical care and medication. His lack of access to medical services in the Taliban prison is not only a violation of human rights but also demonstrates a disregard for human rights and the condition of political prisoners in the group's prisons. These protesters called on the international community, human rights organizations, and international institutions to pay urgent attention to this issue and take action to release Mr. Kohistani.

Zan News: Manizha Talash, an Afghan athlete who competed on behalf of Afghanistan in the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been disqualified from the games due to displaying the political slogan "Free Afghan Women." Photo: GETTY IMAGES Manizha Talash, Afghan Athlete, was Excluded from Paris Olympics for "Free Afghan Women" Slogan August 11, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Manizha Talash, an Afghan athlete who competed on behalf of Afghanistan in the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been disqualified from the games due to displaying the political slogan "Free Afghan Women." According to a report by the India Today newspaper on Saturday (August 10), the 21-year-old Afghan displayed this slogan to the audience during a breakdancing competition. Talash, who was defeated by India Sardju from the Netherlands in this competition, has been removed not only from the breakdancing event but also from the Paris 2024 Olympics. The disqualification is due to her violation of Olympic rules, as Article 50 of the Olympic Charter prohibits any political, religious, or racial demonstrations or propaganda at the Olympic venue or in other areas. However, Manizhe Talash has managed to convey her message about the rights of Afghan women on the biggest sports stage. After the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, she sought asylum in Spain and competed as an Afghan refugee athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Zan News: Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, has criticized Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Human Rights and Women in Afghanistan, urging her to take a stand on the exclusion of women from the third Doha meeting. Rahmatullah Nabil: Rina Amiri Should Take a Stand on Excluding Women from Doha Meeting or Resign June 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, has criticized Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Envoy for Human Rights and Women in Afghanistan, urging her to take a stand on the exclusion of women from the third Doha meeting. On Monday (June 24), Nabil wrote on his X page that the "complete incompetence of Ms. Amiri" is now in full public view. He added, "Afghan civil society groups should demand that she [Rina Amiri] either address and take a stand on this issue [women's presence at the Doha meeting] or resign." Nabil described the silence of U.S. representatives regarding the exclusion of women from the third Doha meeting as concerning. The third Doha meeting is scheduled to be chaired by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, with the participation of special representatives from 25 countries on Afghanistan and a delegation from the Taliban on June 30 and July 1, 2024. The absence of representatives of Afghan women and civil society at this meeting has raised concerns among human rights organizations. In response to these concerns, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations, stated that the role of women will be highlighted in all UN discussions. It is expected that Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, will meet separately with representatives of Afghan civil society after their meeting with the Taliban. Previously, Rahmatullah Nabil had reacted to the exclusion of women from the third Doha meeting by calling on women and human rights activists to suspend all their official interactions with the United Nations.

Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that six individuals, including two women, were flogged in the Deh Sabz district of Kabul. Social Media The Taliban Flog Six People, Including Two Women, in Kabul October 17, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that six individuals, including two women, were flogged in the Deh Sabz district of Kabul. According to the statement released by the court, the flogging sentence was carried out yesterday, Wednesday (October 16). The statement mentions that these individuals were convicted of "illicit relationships and sodomy." As per the statement from the Taliban's Supreme Court, the primary court of Deh Sabz district sentenced four of the accused to one year in prison and 39 lashes each, while two others were sentenced to three months in prison and 39 lashes. In recent days, the Taliban have publicly flogged several individuals in other provinces as well. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, public of corporal punishments have resumed. Human rights organizations have condemned these punishments as violations of international law and human dignity, calling for their immediate halt. However, the Taliban insist that these sentences are in accordance with Islamic law.

Zan News: Health sources and residents of Nimruz province report a significant increase in mental health patients in the province. According to the provided statistics, over 150 people seek treatment for mental health issues daily. Most of these patients are young women and girls. Social Media Alarming Rise in Mental Health Patients in Nimruz; Women and Girls Bear the Brunt August 18, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Health sources and residents of Nimruz province report a significant increase in mental health patients in the province. According to the provided statistics, over 150 people seek treatment for mental health issues daily. Most of these patients are young women and girls. According to the 8am daily newspaper, between 90 to 120 mental health patients visit the Nimruz Provincial Hospital for treatment daily. Meanwhile, numerous private hospitals and clinics also confirm an increase in mental health patients, stating that dozens of people seek treatment at these facilities daily. In this report, Dr. Ahmad Sadid (pseudonym), a specialist at the Nimruz Provincial Hospital, stated that the number of mental health patients has increased unprecedentedly in recent months. He added that most of the patients are young women and girls, and they attribute this increase to factors such as the closure of girls' schools and universities, the ban on women working, forced marriages, poverty, and unemployment. The doctor explained, "Of the patients who come to us, 70% are women and girls, and the remaining 30% are young men. When I ask all these patients and get information, they either say it's because of school or they were married against their will or they were prevented from working, and when we ask the young men, they say it's unemployment. In short, these statistics show that our society is sick." The report states that among the mental health patients, some girls have developed this illness due to the harsh living conditions under Taliban rule. Shima, a 17-year-old girl who has developed a mental illness due to the closure of schools, says, "Schools are closed, and I live in a corner of the house like a prisoner. A year has passed, we said maybe the school gates will open, but it didn't, and staying at home caused this problem and illness for me." According to this report, Zainab, another girl from Nimruz, developed a mental illness after an unwanted marriage and is now undergoing treatment. Zainab's mother says, "My daughter was not sick. After she got married, she developed this illness. We have brought Zainab to the hospital twice this week. She has developed a kind of illness where she stands up and then falls down." She adds, "When the Taliban came, one of the tribes proposed marriage, and her father, without Zainab's consent or desire, married her off, and this is the result of her marriage." This report comes at a time when the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on girls and women over the past three years, including banning them from attending schools and universities, participating in sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, even the United Nations offices in Afghanistan. These Taliban actions have resulted in the deprivation of millions of female students from education and widespread restrictions on the social lives of Afghan women.