Zan News - Farah: A man has been arrested in Farah Province on charges of sexual assault and the murder of two children. Social Media A Man Arrested in Farah on Charges of Sexual Assault and Murder of Two Children August 11, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Farah: A man has been arrested in Farah Province on charges of sexual assault and the murder of two children. The press office of the Taliban's police command in Farah reported that this man was arrested on Saturday (August 10) in the center of Farah Province. According to the press release, the individual killed a child boy after sexually assaulting him about a month ago and murdered another child approximately 10 months ago in exchange for 4,000 Afghanis. The press release states: "The man had buried the children’s bodies in a ruin." The Taliban police command in Farah has confirmed that the murderer has confessed to his crimes and the bodies of the children have been discovered. The exact motive behind these murders has not yet been determined.

Zan News: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported a significant spread of anemia among Afghan women and girls in its latest report. The organization announced that more than 40 percent of women in Afghanistan suffer from anemia. Image by: LYNZY BILLING UNICEF: Over 40 Percent of Women in Afghanistan Suffer from Anemia July 30, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported a significant spread of anemia among Afghan women and girls in its latest report. The organization announced that more than 40 percent of women in Afghanistan suffer from anemia. UNICEF, in a video report published on its X (formerly Twitter) account, stated that it is providing vitamin and mineral supplements to pregnant women across Afghanistan. The primary cause of this issue is attributed to iron and micronutrient deficiencies in women's diets. Zahra Mousavi, a UNICEF employee in Bamyan province, highlighted the challenging economic conditions faced by Afghan families, stating that poverty and unemployment have severely affected women and children. These statistics come amidst reports from aid organizations indicating that approximately 23.7 million people in Afghanistan, 80 percent of whom are women, are grappling with poverty and in need of humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the announcement of the cessation of operations at six health centers supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Badakhshan province has heightened concerns about the health situation of Afghan women and children. These centers, which provided crucial health services, especially for pregnant women and newborns, are set to close by the end of this month.

Zan News - Pakistan: For the first time in history, a Gender Desk has been established in Khyber District, Pakistan, to deliver justice to women in tribal areas. This initiative provides legal assistance to thousands of women. Exclusive A New Hope for Justice for Women of Tribal Areas: Opening of the Gender Desk in Khyber District, Pakistan January 21, 2025 Muhammad Jawad Zan News - Pakistan: For the first time in history, a Gender Desk has been established in Khyber District, Pakistan, to deliver justice to women in tribal areas. This initiative provides legal assistance to thousands of women. This initiative has paved the way for millions of women to access justice. Within three months, 15 cases involving women have been registered, most of which are related to domestic violence. These include a case regarding an outdated and abolished custom. In many cases, courts have ruled in favor of the women. According to details, out of the 1.147 million population in Khyber District, over 600,000 are women. Similar to other tribal districts, women here are not granted the right to access courts, as this is considered against traditional norms. About 99% of women spend their lives managing household affairs, and their literacy rate is also a matter of concern. As a result, women remain unaware of their legal rights and access to justice. They face various challenges, including domestic violence, honor killings, denial of inheritance rights, and the lack of the right to express their opinion in marriage. The Chief of Police for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Khan, inaugurated the Gender Desk at the Bara Police Station in Khyber District and appointed female staff for the desk. Fatima Afridi, a female staff member of the Gender Desk, told Zan News that within this short period, 15 different cases have been registered, most of which are related to domestic violence. Among these cases, one involved an outdated custom. On December 10, a local woman named H.S. filed a case against the accused, and others, regarding the custom. The court ruled in her favor. The Gender Desk established in Bara, Khyber, has recently registered three minor cases, including one related to the "Ghag" custom. These cases highlight the problems faced by women who are exposed to social pressure and insecurity in their daily lives. By reporting these cases, the Gender Desk is committed to providing justice and full support for these women. Another female staff member of the Gender Desk, Aiman Afridi, stated that "Ghag" is an old and abolished tradition in Pashtun society. According to this custom, a boy would raise his voice in front of the house of the girl he desired, demanding her hand in marriage. In modern times, some people fire gunshots in front of the girl's house, and after this, the girl can only marry that boy, even if the marriage proposal is not acceptable to her. The staff of the Gender Desk stated that as a result, women now have access to legal assistance, and this has become a beacon of hope for those women who were previously deprived of justice. Some women who brought their issues to the Gender Desk expressed their satisfaction with this initiative, but they also noted that the desk is insufficient for the female population of the area. They called for the establishment of Gender Desks in every police station and urged awareness efforts to be made for women in remote areas about the importance of this service. The Gender Desk established in Bara, Khyber, Pakistan, has recently registered three minor cases, including one related to the "Ghag" custom. These cases highlight the problems faced by women who are confronted with social pressure and insecurity in their daily lives. Through reporting these cases, the Gender Desk is committed to providing justice and full support for these women. The Chief of Police in Khyber District, Mazhar Iqbal, stated that access to justice for both women and men is the foundation of a civilized society. In tribal areas, women's access to justice was previously considered against tradition. The establishment of the Gender Desk is a significant step towards ending this system and represents a new ray of hope for tribal women. He added that more female police officers have also been appointed in this regard, and the expansion of the Gender Desk is part of the officials' efforts.

Zan News: Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan taekwondo athlete, carried the Olympic torch. Social Media Zakia Khudadadi, Afghan Taekwondo Athlete, Carries Olympic Torch July 27, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan taekwondo athlete, carried the Olympic torch. Khudadadi stated on her X page on Friday (26 July) that it was a great honor for her. She wrote: "Today, I had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch. It was a great honor for me, and the feeling of pride was truly amazing." Khudadadi added that the Olympic torch symbolizes unity, peace, freedom, and equality for the entire world. It is worth noting that in June of this year, the International Olympic Committee announced that Afghanistan would participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics with a gender-equal team comprising three women and three men. However, after the International Olympic Committee announced the formation of a six-member Afghan team for the Paris Olympics, the Taliban stated that they do not recognize the three female athletes included in the team. The 2024 Paris Olympics will begin on July 26 and continue until August 11. Zakia Khudadadi's carrying of the Olympic torch occurs while female athletes in Afghanistan face many restrictions and are not allowed to engage in sports activities by the Taliban.

Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, in response to the recent letter issued by the Taliban Ministry of Economy prohibiting women’s work in "non-Emirati" organizations, stated that the issuance of decrees to increase restrictions against women and the instrumentalization of humanitarian aid is an open act of hostility towards the people of Afghanistan. Photo: wikipedia Faiq: Increasing Restrictions on Women and Exploiting Humanitarian Aid Is Hostility Towards the People of Afghanistan December 30, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, in response to the recent letter issued by the Taliban Ministry of Economy prohibiting women’s work in "non-Emirati" organizations, stated that the issuance of decrees to increase restrictions against women and the instrumentalization of humanitarian aid is an open act of hostility towards the people of Afghanistan. Faiq made these remarks on Monday (December 30) and criticized the actions of the Taliban. He emphasized that while the territorial integrity of the country is being violated, the Taliban remain focused on further increasing restrictions against Afghan women. The Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations stated that Afghanistan is in international isolation due to the lack of a legitimate system. He also acknowledged that while Afghanistan suffers from political, social, and economic instability, the hostility of the Taliban towards the Afghan people is increasing day by day. This comes as the Taliban Ministry of Economy has once again instructed "non-Emirati" organizations to prevent the continuation of women’s work and hiring, warning that failure to comply with this directive will result in the cancellation of the organizations' work permits.

Zan News: Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab province in Pakistan, described the deprivation of Afghan girls from education as one of the most painful manifestations of injustice during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. GoogleImage Maryam Nawaz: Depriving Afghan Girls of Education Is One of the Most Painful Forms of Injustice April 13, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab province in Pakistan, described the deprivation of Afghan girls from education as one of the most painful manifestations of injustice during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Speaking on Friday, April 11, at the fourth round of the "Antalya Diplomacy Forum" in Turkey, she said: "In Afghanistan, girls are deprived of education. In Palestine, children are buried under rubble. In Kashmir, children face discrimination and violence. In Sudan, children walk for kilometers to find food." Maryam Nawaz emphasized that education is not limited to school curricula, calling it "a force for healing, a path to overcoming deprivation, and a tool for building a better world." Her remarks come as, since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, girls have been banned from continuing their education in secondary schools, high schools, and universities—a decision that has sparked widespread global condemnation.

Zan News - Kabul: Members of the "Women's Movement Towards Freedom" have condemned the United Nations' invitation of Taliban representatives to the third Doha meeting, saying that instead of the Taliban, real representatives of women should have been invited to pave the way for the formation of a legitimate government. Doha 3 Meeting; Protesting Women: Real Representatives of Women Should Have Been Invited Instead of the Taliban June 4, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Kabul: Members of the "Women's Movement Towards Freedom" have condemned the United Nations' invitation of Taliban representatives to the third Doha meeting, saying that instead of the Taliban, real representatives of women should have been invited to pave the way for the formation of a legitimate government. In a statement released by the Women's Movement Towards Freedom, they said: "The organizers of the Doha meeting invite Taliban lobbyists and sit together at the negotiating table; while the real seats of the people and the main representatives of women are empty." The movement, referring to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls, emphasizes that the non-participation of the Taliban in the Doha meeting creates an opportunity to establish a popular and inclusive government. In this statement, the protesting women accuse the Taliban of arresting, killing, torturing, eliminating women, and closing educational centers, saying that these actions are forcing people to flee in droves and forced displacements. The Women's Movement Towards Freedom calls on the United Nations and the international community to stand with the Afghan people and reject the international political legitimacy of the illegitimate Taliban government. Emphasizing the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, the movement says that negotiations and peace will only yield results when a new government is elected through elections. This comes as the United Nations has recently invited Taliban representatives to the third Doha meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place on June 30th of this year in Doha, the capital of Qatar, hosted by the United Nations.

Zan News: Edem Wosornu, a official at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), expressed deep concern about the Taliban's exclusion of approximately 1.4 million Afghan girls from education during a press conference. OCHA: 1.4 Million Girls in Afghanistan Deprived of Education May 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Edem Wosornu, a official at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), expressed deep concern about the Taliban's exclusion of approximately 1.4 million Afghan girls from education during a press conference. Ms. Wosornu, who recently completed a four-day trip to Afghanistan, stated that she had raised the concerns of the international community and organizations with Taliban officials. "The restrictions imposed on Afghan women aid workers have added a layer of complexity to the humanitarian response in Afghanistan. Additionally, around 1.4 million women and teenage girls are still under a ban on education," she added. According to Ms. Wosornu, Taliban officials responded by stating that they needed more time to prepare the ground for the education of girls in Afghanistan. "We don't have time," Wosornu emphasized during the press conference. "The longer we wait, the more millions of children will be affected, and the negative impact on the entire society will be exacerbated." The OCHA official also noted that aid organizations face restrictions in providing assistance through women and girls in Afghanistan. Wosornu called on the Taliban to lift the educational and work restrictions against women and girls in Afghanistan. Based on statistics provided by OCHA, currently, more than 15 million people in Afghanistan face high levels of food insecurity. Recent floods in the north of the country have added to this challenge. It is noteworthy that after taking over Afghanistan, the Taliban initially banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school and later closed universities to women and girls.

Zan News: Local sources in Takhar province report that a Taliban member has arbitrarily closed two health centers in the maternal health sector in the Dashti Qala district of this province and has expelled the female staff from these centers. Social Media A Taliban Member Closed Two Maternal Health Centers in Takhar October 14, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Takhar province report that a Taliban member has arbitrarily closed two health centers in the maternal health sector in the Dashti Qala district of this province and has expelled the female staff from these centers. According to sources, Mawlawi Zainuddin, the head of the Taliban's orders and decrees in Dashti Qala district, closed these two maternal health centers, which were managed by women. This Taliban member has warned women to avoid being present in these centers at night and declared that women's work outside the home is against the orders of the group's leader. Mawlawi Zainuddin has also warned the officials of these health centers that if they disobey his orders, they will be imprisoned. The Taliban's health department officials in Takhar have not yet commented on this action. It's worth noting that previously, the Taliban had taken steps to segregate the working sections for women and men in hospitals within this province.

Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar Province have reported the discovery of the body of a 10-year-old girl in the Kamy district of the province. Social Media Body of a 10-Year-Old Girl Found in Nangarhar February 15, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Nangarhar Province have reported the discovery of the body of a 10-year-old girl in the Kamy district of the province. According to sources, the girl's body was found yesterday, Friday (February 14), in the "Charko" area of Kamy district. A source stated that the girl was killed with a knife, and her body was dumped in a wheat field, where it was discovered by local residents. The source added that the motive for the murder and the identity of the girl have not yet been determined. Meanwhile, local Taliban officials in Nangarhar have not commented on the incident. This comes as daily reports of killings and the discovery of bodies emerge from various provinces of Afghanistan, with armed, unidentified individuals often cited as the perpetrators in most cases.