Zan News: The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, on the occasion of World Science Day, stated that Afghan students, especially women, continue to make progress in the fields of health, education, and development despite numerous challenges. Photo: Washington Post U.S. Embassy: Afghan Women Continue to Make Progress in Health, Education, and Development Despite Challenges November 11, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, on the occasion of World Science Day, stated that Afghan students, especially women, continue to make progress in the fields of health, education, and development despite numerous challenges. The embassy emphasized the essential and significant role of knowledge and scientists in shaping a brighter future for Afghanistan. The U.S. Embassy, based in Doha, shared this message on its official X account, stating: "continue supporting the efforts of scientists, students, and innovators, as science is the key to peace and prosperity." It is important to note that World Science Day is celebrated every year on November 10, providing an opportunity for academic and scientific institutions to highlight the importance of science and its impact on community development. This comes at a time when it has been over three years since girls’ schools beyond grade six were closed in Afghanistan. Currently, Afghanistan is the only country where the education of girls beyond elementary school is banned.

Zan News: The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that the Islamic Republic has executed 31 women on various charges in the year 2024. Photo: iranintl Execution of 31 Women in Iran in 2024: Highest Rate in 15 Years January 7, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that the Islamic Republic has executed 31 women on various charges in the year 2024. The report, published on Monday (6 January), states that this number is the highest rate of executions of women in a single year in over 15 years. According to the report, between 2010 and 2024, Iran executed at least 241 women. In 2024, of the 31 women executed, 19 were for murder charges, and 12 were for drug-related offenses. The organization emphasized that 27 of these executions were not reported by official bodies or state-run media. Iran Human Rights has urged international bodies to press for the coordination of criminal responsibility for both girls and boys in Iran. The organization also called for the abolition of discriminatory gender laws, including those related to compensation (Diyah) and inheritance rights. The report states that the death penalty is used as a tool to perpetuate gender discrimination and suppress women in Iran. It is worth mentioning that in recent months, the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed a large number of people, including Afghan citizens, on various charges.

Zan News - Nangarhar: Local sources in Nangarhar report that a woman was killed by unknown gunmen in Jalalabad, the capital of the province. Social Media Murder of a Woman by Unknown Gunmen in Nangarhar August 7, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Nangarhar: Local sources in Nangarhar report that a woman was killed by unknown gunmen in Jalalabad, the capital of the province. According to the sources, the incident occurred around 3:00 PM on Tuesday (August 6th) in the fourth district of Jalalabad. Sources add that the incident happened when the woman was heading towards Jalalabad in a rickshaw. She was targeted by unknown motorcyclists who shot her. It is reported that the perpetrators fled the scene after shooting the woman. So far, local Taliban officials have not commented on the incident. It is noteworthy that criminal incidents in the country have increased in recent days.

Zan News: Local sources in Ghor Province have reported that a child lost his life in the province following a landslide. Social Media Landslide in Ghor Claims Life of a Child February 9, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Ghor Province have reported that a child lost his life in the province following a landslide. The incident occurred on Friday (February 7) in the village of "Kakri" in the Pasaband District of Ghor. According to reports, the child had gone to the mountains to collect firewood when he was killed by the landslide. Local Taliban officials in Ghor have also confirmed the incident. This is comes after similar incidents have been reported in other provinces of Afghanistan.

Zan News: The Purple Saturdays Movement has stated that Taliban-controlled schools are more dangerous than the closure of girls' schools, as reopening them under Taliban rule would lead to the spread of "extremist, terrorist, and monopolistic ideologies." Purple Saturdays Movement: Talibani Schools Are More Dangerous Than the Closure of Girls' Schools October 19, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Purple Saturdays Movement has stated that Taliban-controlled schools are more dangerous than the closure of girls' schools, as reopening them under Taliban rule would lead to the spread of "extremist, terrorist, and monopolistic ideologies." The movement issued a resolution today, Saturday (October 19), in response to a request from the Pashtun Jirga of Pakistan advocating for Afghan girls' access to education under Taliban rule. The resolution stressed that while the closure of girls' schools above the sixth grade is a major disaster for Afghanistan’s future, reopening these schools under Taliban authority, with changes to the curriculum and uniforms, would be an "even greater catastrophe." According to the movement, Taliban-run schools promote "extremist, terrorist, and monopolistic ideologies" instead of scientific and humanistic education. This poses irreparable harm to the social, cultural, and peaceful coexistence foundations of Afghan society, particularly affecting women. The Purple Saturdays Movement warned that reopening girls' schools under Taliban control would raise a generation of girls and women who, instead of embracing diversity and promoting peace and coexistence, would spread "Taliban violence, fear, regression, and authoritarianism." The movement strongly opposed the reduction of Afghan women's rights to merely the reopening of girls' schools in a "Taliban-style" education, which they see as a means to legitimize the Taliban regime and prolong its rule with the support of Pakistan and its citizens. They strongly condemned this action. The movement also called on Pakistan’s political and civil leaders and institutions, especially the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), to respect international borders and focus on Pakistan's internal problems. They urged the Pakistani government to stop supporting the Taliban and "terrorist groups." Additionally, the movement called on the international community and global organizations to cease their support for the Taliban and hold the group’s leaders accountable in court for crimes against humanity, gender apartheid, war crimes, and widespread human rights violations. Expressing deep concern over the continuation of the Taliban's "self-declared, mono-ethnic, and gender-exclusive government," the Purple Saturdays Movement warned that this government is increasingly turning the country into a breeding ground for "extremism and regression," pushing Afghanistan’s future, particularly for women, into darkness. The movement stressed that medieval and tribal mechanisms cannot adequately address Afghanistan’s current situation in the 21st century and the modern era.

Zan News: Aziz-ur-Rahman Mohajer, head of the Taliban's Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Department in Herat, has urged the owners of halls, hotels, restaurants, and juice shops to prevent the mixing of women and men in their workplaces and to deny entry to unveiled women. Taliban to Herat Business Owners: Prevent Mixing of Women and Men and the Entry of Unveiled Women into the Workplace October 15, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Aziz-ur-Rahman Mohajer, head of the Taliban's Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Department in Herat, has urged the owners of halls, hotels, restaurants, and juice shops to prevent the mixing of women and men in their workplaces and to deny entry to unveiled women. In a meeting with business owners on Monday (October 14), this Taliban official emphasized that the law of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice must be seriously enforced. Mohajer advised the business owners in Herat to seriously avoid the entry of unveiled women, the mixing of men and women, and the playing of music in their workplaces. It is noteworthy that since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, extensive restrictions have been imposed on the lives of citizens, particularly on women. Among these restrictions is the deprivation of women and girls from education in schools and universities, which has been in effect for more than three years and continues to this day.

Zan News: Sama TV, quoting Ruhullah, a student at the religious school "Tarteel al-Quran" in Nangarhar, has reported that this school specializes in teaching suicide bombing. A Pakistani Media: A School in Nangarhar Teaches Suicide Bombing to Students September 4, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Sama TV, quoting Ruhullah, a student at the religious school "Tarteel al-Quran" in Nangarhar, has reported that this school specializes in teaching suicide bombing. The Pakistani media outlet stated on Tuesday (September 3) that after receiving military training at this school, which is located in the village of "Tortaim" in Nangarhar, Ruhullah was sent to Pakistan in a green car with the help of individuals named Amanullah and Sajjad to carry out an attack. Ruhullah revealed that he underwent 10 days of suicide bombing training at this school. He also mentioned that after entering Pakistan, he separated from his two companions and met with a person named Suleiman to determine the location of the attack. According to the Sama TV report, the obtained evidence supports Pakistan's claim of anti-government militants being present in Afghanistan under Taliban control. The Taliban have not yet responded to this report. This comes just two days after PTV reported that the Taliban had issued a "special residence" permit in Afghanistan and a weapon permit to Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and his associate Mazahim Mehsud.

Zan News - Daikundi: Local sources report the suicide of an 18-year-old girl named Gol-afroz in the village of Bum Sher Rabat, Miramor district. Young Girl Commits Suicide in Miramor, Daikundi May 30, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Daikundi: Local sources report the suicide of an 18-year-old girl named Gol-afroz in the village of Bum Sher Rabat, Miramor district. The incident occurred on Tuesday (May 27th). It is reported that Gol-afroz hanged herself in her house and ended her life. The exact motive for this suicide has not yet been determined, and local Taliban officials in Daikundi have not yet commented on the matter. However, suicides in Afghanistan, especially among young girls, have increased since the Taliban's resurgence in the country. The restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women, hopelessness about the future, domestic violence, and mental health problems are some of the factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

Zan News: Local Taliban officials in Kapisa Province have reported the deaths of two women due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by coal in the province. Social Media Two Women in Kapisa Die from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning February 6, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local Taliban officials in Kapisa Province have reported the deaths of two women due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by coal in the province. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM on Wednesday (February 5) in the Dareh Pichghan area of Nijrab District in the province. The Taliban security command in Kapisa, in a press release, stated that the victims of the incident were two women aged 17 and 35. According to the press release, a middle-aged man was also poisoned as a result of the incident and was transferred to a hospital. It is worth noting that similar incidents have occurred in the past in some other provinces of the country.

Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, the group has detained at least 256 journalists. Image: unama UN: Taliban Has Detained at Least 256 Journalists in the Past Three Years November 27, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, the group has detained at least 256 journalists. In a report titled "Media Freedom in Afghanistan," released on Tuesday (November 26), UNAMA highlighted the increasing challenges faced by media outlets, journalists, and media staff under Taliban rule. The report reveals that female journalists and media staff are facing severe and "discriminatory" restrictions. It indicates that over the past three years, the Taliban has committed 336 acts of violence against journalists and media staff, including 256 cases of arbitrary detention (249 men and 7 women), 130 cases of torture (122 men and 8 women), and 75 cases of threats or intimidation. Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMA, emphasized in the report: "We call on the Taliban to ensure the safety of all journalists and media workers while performing their duties and to fully recognize the importance of women in the media sector." Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over the findings and urged the Taliban to align their actions with Afghanistan's international legal obligations. He emphasized: "Journalists and media workers perform vital functions in informing the public on events affecting their daily lives and wider communities, including on essential humanitarian and protection issues." In response to the report, Human Rights Watch described the media situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule as "critical," stating that the Taliban has "devastated the media landscape and created an atmosphere of fear," making it impossible for journalists to investigate or report on any topic freely. Human Rights Watch further added that the Taliban has severely restricted local media outlets, directly intervening in newsrooms to "suppress any critical content." The organization also noted that Afghan media outlets have been forced to obtain Taliban approval before publishing reports, which has led to various forms of censorship. UNAMA has stressed the importance of providing technical and financial support to the media sector in Afghanistan for the country's development, highlighting that reduced international support has made the media sector more vulnerable. On the other hand, the Taliban has rejected the report, claiming that those detained had committed "crimes." Since their return to power, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on journalists and media outlets. Currently, several journalists remain imprisoned in Taliban-run jails.