Zan News: Following the Taliban's reaction to the participation of three Afghan female athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kamia Yousufi, one of Afghanistan’s representatives in these competitions, stated that she is "representing the stolen dreams" of Afghan women. Kamia Yousufi: I am Representing the Stolen Dreams of Afghan Women at the Paris Olympics July 10, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Following the Taliban's reaction to the participation of three Afghan female athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kamia Yousufi, one of Afghanistan’s representatives in these competitions, stated that she is "representing the stolen dreams" of Afghan women. On Tuesday (July 9), Yousufi told the Australian Olympic Committee that she represents the girls and women who have been deprived of their right to education under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. She said, "It is an honor to once again represent the girls of my homeland, girls and women who are deprived of their basic rights, including education, which is the most important." Kamia Yousufi, a sprinter, first participated in the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil and later in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This will be her third appearance in the Olympic Games. Yousufi’s remarks come as the Taliban announced that they do not recognize the three Afghan female athletes participating in the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, reacted to the lack of support from the Taliban for Afghan female athletes in the Paris Olympics. He called for support from sports organizations both inside and outside the country. Bennett posted on X, "Women and girls in Afghanistan have the right to participate in sports. I eagerly await the competition of talented and inspiring Afghan women and men in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris." Previously, the spokesperson for the Afghanistan Olympic Committee, now under Taliban control, stated that the committee does not recognize the three women participating in the Paris Olympics and only acknowledges the three male representatives of Afghanistan. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will begin on July 26 and continue until August 11, three women will represent Afghanistan in cycling and sprinting. Three men will also participate, with two joining from abroad. Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, women's sports have been banned in the country, and many female athletes have left and are living in exile.

Local sources in Baghlan province say that a Taliban member has killed three members of his family, including his wife, brother, and nephew, in Khanjan district of the province. Social Media Baghlan: Taliban Member Kills Wife, Brother, and Nephew April 21, 2025 Zan News Local sources in Baghlan province say that a Taliban member has killed three members of his family, including his wife, brother, and nephew, in Khanjan district of the province. According to sources, the incident occurred on Saturday, April 19. The Taliban member has been identified as Abdullah Safai. He reportedly killed his wife with an axe, and then shot and killed his brother and nephew. Information obtained indicates that Abdullah had a history of domestic violence and had joined the Taliban in 2017 after murdering his first wife. Local sources cited family disputes and a land conflict as the reasons behind the incident. So far, Taliban officials in Baghlan have not commented on the case. It is worth noting that some individuals within the Taliban ranks have criminal backgrounds, including involvement in murder, theft, and domestic violence.

Zan News: On the occasion of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Women's Unity and Solidarity Movement issued a statement and released protest videos, emphasizing the need for global action to address the rising violence against women in Afghanistan. Sent to Zan News Women's Unity and Solidarity Movement Calls for Global Action to Combat Violence Against Women in Afghanistan November 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News: On the occasion of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Women's Unity and Solidarity Movement issued a statement and released protest videos, emphasizing the need for global action to address the rising violence against women in Afghanistan. The statement notes that the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women comes at a time when "women in Afghanistan are facing various forms of physical and psychological violence, including suicide, rape, murder, suppression, torture, imprisonment, deprivation of education, forced marriages, child marriages, desert court, unemployment, restrictions on human freedoms, the sale of girls, the prohibition of women in the media, and all forms of physical and psychological violence. The main cause of these crimes and violence is the Taliban's laws and their extremist ideology against women." With the slogan "Stop Violence Against Women in Afghanistan and Prosecute the Taliban," the movement has called on the international community to take immediate and practical action to address the ongoing violence against women in Afghanistan.

Zan News: Local Taliban officials in Jowzjan have announced that the private organization "Hamkar" has distributed work tools to 70 women who recently graduated from vocational training courses in sewing, bag-making, and embroidery. Distribution of Sewing Tools to 70 Women in Jowzjan September 4, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Local Taliban officials in Jowzjan have announced that the private organization "Hamkar" has distributed work tools to 70 women who recently graduated from vocational training courses in sewing, bag-making, and embroidery. Abdul Wali Musafir, an official from the Taliban's Directorate of Refugees and Returnees in Jowzjan, said that on Tuesday (September 3), these women received items including work tables, irons, manual and electric sewing machines, and other sewing and embroidery tools. He stated that the value of the donated items is approximately 2.5 million Afghanis. Some of the women who received the tools expressed that creating job opportunities and training programs can help families achieve economic self-sufficiency. These actions come at a time when the Taliban, since regaining control of Afghanistan, have banned women from working in government offices and private institutions, and have shut down many women-run businesses, including women's beauty salons.

Zan News: The Taliban Supreme Court has announced that today, Wednesday (October 9), two women and one man were publicly whipped in Farkhar district of Takhar province on charges of "adultery." Taliban Whip Two Women and One Man in Public in Takhar October 9, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban Supreme Court has announced that today, Wednesday (October 9), two women and one man were publicly whipped in Farkhar district of Takhar province on charges of "adultery." According to the court's statement, each of these individuals received 39 lashes. The whipping sentence was carried out after being approved by the Taliban Chief Justice and based on the verdict of the primary court of Farkhar district. It is worth mentioning that since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the group has repeatedly punished accused individuals in public, including flogging and execution in front of hundreds of spectators. International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned these actions, considering them a violation of international law and human dignity, and have called for an end to such punishments.

Zan News: The UN Women has labeled the Taliban's new law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice as "misogynistic" and called for its immediate revocation. UN: Taliban Must Immediately Revoke Their Misogynistic Law August 29, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The UN Women has labeled the Taliban's new law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice as "misogynistic" and called for its immediate revocation. In a statement, the organization said that this Taliban law completely removes women from public life. The UN Women expressed concern over the Taliban leader's approval of the law, emphasizing that it severely impacts women's private lives. According to this organization, over the past three years, the Taliban have implemented more than 70 restrictive decrees on women's lives and work, resulting in gross human rights violations. The organization emphasized that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban have had devastating effects on the lives of Afghan women. It's worth noting that the new Taliban law has faced widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and women's rights activists. However, the Taliban have dismissed these reactions as disrespect for Islamic Sharia.

The coalition emphasized in the statement that Afghan women under Taliban rule face the most severe forms of suppression and gender discrimination. Referencing bans on education, employment, social participation, and even the freedom of movement for women, the statement described these policies as a blatant violation of human rights and a major challenge for equality movements around the world. The statement added: "We stand with the women of Afghanistan, and we view March 8 as an opportunity to raise our voices against this organized crime." The Independent Coalition of Protest Movements called on human rights organizations, international institutions, and progressive movements worldwide to not remain silent against the Taliban's gender apartheid and to take a firm stance. The statement also demanded that the systematic repression of women by the Taliban be recognized as a crime against humanity in international forums, and it called for full support of the resistance movements of women both inside and outside Afghanistan. In conclusion, the statement stressed: "March 8 is a day of global solidarity among women, and on this day, we will amplify the voice of Afghanistan's resilient women louder than ever." Independent Coalition of Protest Movements Demands Immediate Action to End Systematic Repression of Afghan Women Zan News: On the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, the Independent Coalition of Protest Movements issued a statement condemning the Taliban's anti-women policies as a form of gender apartheid and calling on the international community for urgent measures to end the systematic repression of Afghan women. March 4, 2025 The coalition emphasized in the statement that Afghan women under Taliban rule face the most severe forms of suppression and gender discrimination. Referencing bans on education, employment, social participation, and even the freedom of movement for women, the statement described these policies as a blatant violation of human rights and a major challenge for equality movements around the world. The statement added: "We stand with the women of Afghanistan, and we view March 8 as an opportunity to raise our voices against this organized crime." The Independent Coalition of Protest Movements called on human rights organizations, international institutions, and progressive movements worldwide to not remain silent against the Taliban's gender apartheid and to take a firm stance. The statement also demanded that the systematic repression of women by the Taliban be recognized as a crime against humanity in international forums, and it called for full support of the resistance movements of women both inside and outside Afghanistan. In conclusion, the statement stressed: "March 8 is a day of global solidarity among women, and on this day, we will amplify the voice of Afghanistan's resilient women louder than ever." Zan News

Zan News - Kabul: The United Nations Women (UN Women) has released a report stating that it supports 113 women's organizations in 19 provinces of Afghanistan, and women earn income through work and social activities with the support of this organization. UN Women Supports 113 Afghan Women-Led Organizations June 2, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Kabul: The United Nations Women (UN Women) has released a report stating that it supports 113 women's organizations in 19 provinces of Afghanistan, and women earn income through work and social activities with the support of this organization. In this report titled "Rebuilding the Women's Movement in Afghanistan, One Organization at a Time," UN Women adds that it provides assistance to women in 19 provinces of Afghanistan through appropriate training, skills development, and provision of small-scale seed funding. According to the report, the "Rebuilding the Women's Movement in Afghanistan" program, which began in mid-2022, has partnered with 113 organizations in 19 provinces and supported at least 515 women as of May 2024. These women receive salaries through their work in these organizations. Data from the International Labor Organization shows that by the end of 2022, the female employment rate had decreased by 25% compared to before the Taliban takeover. This decline is mainly due to the Taliban's bans on women working in national and international NGOs since December 2022. Citing the decline in the female employment rate and restrictions, UN Women sees the launch of small home-based businesses as an essential solution to preserve skills and create hope among Afghan women. Alison Davidian, UN Women's Special Representative for Afghanistan, says: "Supporting women-led community organizations not only helps sustain them but also prepares women for bigger things in the future." She emphasizes that the entity's commitment to investing in women's organizations is not limited to financial support, but also includes long-term sustainable technical investment and capacity building to ensure success, motivate women, and enhance their sustainability. This comes as the Taliban, in addition to other restrictive measures, have gradually banned women from working in various sectors since taking over Afghanistan. Currently, women are only employed in limited sectors such as domestic work, small and medium-sized businesses.

Zan News: The Taliban in Nimroz province have reportedly burned 508 kilograms of women’s hair in Chahar Burjak district of the province. Taliban Burn 508 Kilograms of Women's Hair in Nimroz February 19, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban in Nimroz province have reportedly burned 508 kilograms of women’s hair in Chahar Burjak district of the province. Sakhi Ahmad Jalali, the spokesperson for the Taliban court in Nimroz, stated on Tuesday (February 18) that this action was carried out following a ruling by the Taliban's primary court in the district. He added that an individual was also sentenced to imprisonment for selling women’s hair. It is said that this decision was implemented based on a ruling by the Supreme Court of the Taliban and a decree from the group’s leader. This act comes approximately two weeks after the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice burned 900 kilograms of women’s hair collected in Deh Sabz district of Kabul.

Zan News - Nuristan: Unknown gunmen have shot and killed a woman in Nuristan. Photo: Christoph Reuter / DER SPIEGEL A Woman Killed by Unknown Gunmen in Nuristan August 13, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Nuristan: Unknown gunmen have shot and killed a woman in Nuristan. Local sources in Nuristan report that the woman was killed on Monday (August 12) in the village of "Chatras," located in the Parun district, the capital of the province. According to sources, the woman was working in her field when she was attacked. The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the gunmen fled the area following the incident. Local Taliban officials in Nuristan have not yet commented on the matter.