Zan News: Members of the Afghanistan Women’s Movement for Equality held a street protest today, Wednesday (October 16), in Kabul to protest against the "oppression" of the Taliban. Afghanistan Women’s Movement for Equality Holds Street Protest Against Taliban Oppression October 16, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Members of the Afghanistan Women’s Movement for Equality held a street protest today, Wednesday (October 16), in Kabul to protest against the "oppression" of the Taliban. In a resolution read during the protest, the members emphasized their commitment to "resisting the oppression of the Taliban and promoting human rights, gender equality, and social justice." The resolution specifically condemned the "crimes" of the Taliban, which have led to "violence, intimidation, and harassment of women and girls." The Afghanistan Women’s Movement for Equality also denounced the restrictions imposed on women’s education, employment, and freedom, stating: "The imposition of oppressive gender laws, human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and torture must be stopped as soon as possible, and this movement will stand firmly against them." The movement stressed the importance of creating broad and diverse coalitions from all factions in Afghanistan to "overthrow the Taliban" and called for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls across the country from humanitarian organizations. Members of the movement also called for an end to child marriage and domestic violence, urging the international community to condemn the Taliban's crimes and prevent human rights violations in Afghanistan. The movement emphasized that "humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan should be delivered in a way that prevents Taliban influence." They also highlighted the need to address the situation of Afghan refugees and provide shelter for the country’s displaced individuals. In conclusion, the Afghanistan Women’s Movement for Equality called on the international community to support and accompany efforts in promoting peace, sustainable development, inclusive governance, and access to justice, freedom, and democracy for the people of Afghanistan.

Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar province have reported that unknown individuals threw a child into a well in the Rodat district of the province. Social Media Unknown Individuals Throw a Five-Year-Old Child into a Well in Nangarhar January 16, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar province have reported that unknown individuals threw a child into a well in the Rodat district of the province. The sources told the media that on Tuesday (January 14) in the Hasar Shahi area, located in the central part of Rodat district, unknown individuals threw a child, approximately five years old, into a well. According to the sources, this child is a resident of the village "Pas Amloki" in Rodat district and had gone missing on Tuesday. The sources further stated that the child was rescued by locals from a deep well in the "Alijian" village, part of the Hasar Shahi area, after approximately 24 hours on Wednesday (January 15). The sources also mentioned that the family of the child had no personal problems or conflicts with anyone. No further details about this incident have been reported, and the local Taliban authorities in Nangarhar have not commented on the matter. It is worth mentioning that reports of children falling into wells in Nangarhar and other provinces of Afghanistan have been previously published. The main cause of these incidents is reported to be uncovered wells and the negligence of parents towards their children.

Zan News: The Taliban in Nili, the capital of Daikundi province, have given women and girls a five-day deadline to obtain an Arabic hijab. Taliban Give Women in Daikundi Five Days to Obtain Arabic Hijab July 3, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban in Nili, the capital of Daikundi province, have given women and girls a five-day deadline to obtain an Arabic hijab. According to documents released to the media today, Wednesday (July 3), the Taliban's Department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a written notice in the city, warning that women and girls in this province are not allowed to be in markets, educational centers, places, and public areas without wearing an Arabic hijab [that only the eyes are visible]. The notice states that all women and girls in Nili have from June 29 to July 5 to obtain this type of hijab for going outside. It emphasizes that no woman is allowed to remove the hijab in markets, educational centers, and public places until they return home. The notice warns that after July 5, any woman seen without an Arabic hijab in markets and public places will be punished and imprisoned. It further states that the responsibility will fall on the individual and their family, and they will "have no right to complain." This notice has been circulated by the Taliban's Department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Daikundi province throughout Nili. It is worth mentioning that the notice lacks a date and signature, bearing only the stamp of the local Department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Daikundi. A local source in Daikundi confirmed the authenticity of the written notice, stating that it has been distributed in many parts of Nili for the past four days. According to the source, "women's hijab in Daikundi has no issues; because women and girls in Nili are all obliged to wear a large chador, which is more common in Iran. The large and round chadors." The source added that the Taliban's intended type of hijab is not understandable. According to him, the Taliban have imposed stricter restrictions on women and girls in Nili compared to other provinces. He noted, "In this hot summer weather, in addition to the hijab, we must wear a large black chador, which is really hard to endure." This notice from the Taliban in Daikundi comes after the group, in January and February of last year, detained dozens of women and girls in various parts of Kabul and other provinces, including Daikundi, on charges of "improper hijab." Some of the detained girls, after being released from Taliban prison, told the media that they were freed in exchange for money and property documents of their homes and lands.

Zan News - Badakhshan: Two young girls have died as a result of drowning in the Kokcha River in the center of Badakhshan province. Social Media Two Young Girls Drown in the Kokcha River in Badakhshan August 12, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Badakhshan: Two young girls have died as a result of drowning in the Kokcha River in the center of Badakhshan province. Mohammad Kamgar, the Head of Natural Disaster Management for the Taliban in Badakhshan, stated that the incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday (August 11) in the "Shurabak" area of the seventh district of Faizabad city. According to Kamgar, these girls were walking by the river and after entering the water area, they fell into the water and drowned due to slipping on the river bed. The girls, named Naqiba and Suraya, were 18 and 21 years old, respectively. Their bodies were retrieved by local residents one hour after the incident. It should be mentioned that incidents of drowning in water have increased in Badakhshan in recent months.

Zan News: Fawzia Koofi, a former member of the Afghan Parliament, has criticized the exclusion of women, civil society organizations, and democratic forces from the upcoming third Doha meeting, calling it another failure for the United Nations, which currently sees itself as the only player in Afghanistan. Fawzia Koofi: Excluding Women from Doha Meeting is Another Failure for the UN June 23, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Fawzia Koofi, a former member of the Afghan Parliament, has criticized the exclusion of women, civil society organizations, and democratic forces from the upcoming third Doha meeting, calling it another failure for the United Nations, which currently sees itself as the only player in Afghanistan. In a message on her X page, Koofi stated that the design of the Doha meeting is based on the wishes of the Taliban and contradicts UN Security Council Resolution 2721. She emphasized that the exclusion of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from the first Doha process led to a deep failure, resulting in the collapse of all institutions built with the collective blood and resources of the Afghan people and international partners. Koofi, who was a member of the former Afghan government's negotiating team with the Taliban, warned that the third Doha meeting will also have adverse consequences. Human rights and women's rights activists have also expressed that the UN has excluded women and democratic forces opposing the Taliban from the third Doha meeting. It is noteworthy that the Taliban had set conditions for participating in the third Doha meeting, including setting the agenda according to their preferences, granting to Taliban the Afghanistan's seat in the United Nations, and not inviting members of civil society. The Taliban have also asked the UN to refrain from appointing a new special representative for Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the third Doha meeting, hosted by the United Nations and attended by special representatives for Afghanistan and Taliban representatives, is scheduled to take place on June 30 and July 1.

Zan News – Faryab: Local sources in Faryab have reported that an 11-year-old girl named Fatima hanged herself and ended her life in the city of Maimana, the provincial capital. Suicide of a Young Girl in Faryab September 8, 2024 Zan News Zan News – Faryab: Local sources in Faryab have reported that an 11-year-old girl named Fatima hanged herself and ended her life in the city of Maimana, the provincial capital. According to sources, the incident occurred on Saturday (September 7) in the "Kohi Khana" area of the first district of Maimana city. Sources say the girl's body has been transferred to the hospital for further investigation. The exact motive behind this suicide has not yet been determined. It is worth noting that suicide cases among girls have increased since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, especially in various provinces, including Faryab. Despair about the future, mental health issues, and domestic violence are cited as the main reasons for the rise in suicides among Afghan girls.

Zan News: The Taliban in Khost province have demanded a halt to radio educational programs that are broadcast for girls above the sixth grade. Taliban in Khost Demand Halt to Radio Educational Programs for Girls August 31, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban in Khost province have demanded a halt to radio educational programs that are broadcast for girls above the sixth grade. Local sources in Khost province reported on Friday (August 30) that the deputy head of the Taliban's education department in the province has warned radio officials to stop broadcasting educational programs for girls above the sixth grade. Khairullah Mangal, the deputy head of the Taliban's education department in Khost, said that these educational programs may lead to conversations between girls and boys, which contradicts the Taliban's new law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice. According to sources, Radio Maktab, which broadcasts educational programs for girls in Khost, Paktika, and Paktia provinces, has received this warning. This radio station had been broadcasting educational programs for thousands of girls in these areas after the Taliban banned girls' education. It is worth noting that about five days ago, the Khost police command also asked radio officials to stop any telephone contact with women. According to the Taliban's law on the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, the voice, face, body, and appearance of women in public places is considered "awrah" (a private part that must be concealed) and is a crime.

Zan News: Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Reporter on Afghanistan, said on the second day of the Council’s session held yesterday that the people of Afghanistan deserve support and should not be forgotten by the world. Photo: flickr Richard Bennett: The People of Afghanistan Deserve Support and Should Not Be Forgotten March 1, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Reporter on Afghanistan, said on the second day of the Council’s session held yesterday that the people of Afghanistan deserve support and should not be forgotten by the world. He emphasized the necessity of paying attention to the current situation in Afghanistan, noting that human rights violations and the oppression of women by the Taliban have significant repercussions for this group. Bennett stated that he receives messages every week about the Taliban’s mistreatment and that countries have a duty to work together to secure human rights in Afghanistan. He added, "No single action can be effective on its own. That’s why we must adopt a comprehensive approach. Various components are needed to achieve human rights goals." According to Bennett, until the human rights situation in Afghanistan improves, normalizing relations with the Taliban will not be possible. He urged UN member states to act in a coordinated manner against the Taliban. This comes as, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, women and girls have faced severe restrictions in education, work, and social participation. These policies have not only violated human rights but also exacerbated deep social and economic crises in the country.

Zan News - Farah: A six-year-old boy has died after falling into a well in the "Perchman" district of Farah province. Six-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling into a Well in Farah October 2, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Farah: A six-year-old boy has died after falling into a well in the "Perchman" district of Farah province. Local sources in Farah report that the incident occurred on Tuesday (October 1) in the village of "Min Josh". Local Taliban officials in Farah province have also confirmed the incident. Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, there have been numerous reports of children falling into wells, especially in the southern provinces of the country. In the latest incident, efforts to rescue a child in the "Dah Yak" district of Ghazni province were unsuccessful, and four rescuers died due to an electrical short circuit of their equipment inside the well. The Taliban Interior Ministry has recently ordered that all wells must be covered to prevent similar incidents and children falling into wells.

Zan News: Sayara Dashty, the President of the Fahim Dashty Foundation, was awarded the "King Charles III Coronation Medal" by the Canadian Parliament on Thursday (March 13). Photo: FahimDashty/X Sayara Dashty, President of the Fahim Dashty Foundation, Receives King Charles III’s Coronation Medal March 15, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Sayara Dashty, the President of the Fahim Dashty Foundation, was awarded the "King Charles III Coronation Medal" by the Canadian Parliament on Thursday (March 13). The medal was presented to Sayara Dashty in a ceremony by Ali Ehsassi, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in the Canadian Parliament. Ehsassi stated on his X account that he had the honor of awarding this medal to "distinguished individuals who have made a significant impact on their communities, country, and beyond." The Canadian government has awarded this medal to 25 individuals who have made a lasting contribution to society. According to the Government of Canada, the country is granting this medal to 30,000 deserving individuals in honor of the coronation of King Charles III, the monarch of Britain and the Commonwealth nations. The medal was designed by the Canadian government three days before the coronation ceremony of King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is awarded to individuals whose outstanding achievements have brought recognition and honor to Canada on national and international levels. Meanwhile, the Fahim Dashty Foundation released a statement on Friday (March 14), announcing that Sayara Dashty received this medal "in recognition of her outstanding services in the media sector, her advocacy for freedom of expression, and her relentless fight for women's rights in Afghanistan." Notably, Sayara Dashty is the wife of Fahim Dashty, a well-known Afghan journalist and media activist. After the fall of Kabul in August 2021, Fahim Dashty joined the Panjshir resistance as the spokesperson of the National Resistance Front (NRF), led by Ahmad Massoud. He was killed during a Taliban attack on Panjshir. Following his death, Sayara Dashty established the Fahim Dashty Foundation, which works to support media freedom and Afghan journalists.