Afghanistan International: Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, has claimed that she lost hearing in one of her ears as a result of the Taliban’s torture in the group’s prison. Julia Parsi, who had been in Taliban custody for more than three months, said that she underwent surgery for a deep wound in her right
Amu: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has no plans to ban Afghanistan’s men’s team from participating in the Champions Trophy, nor to demand that the Taliban reinstate a women’s cricket program, despite calls for action from politicians and activists, Sky News reported. The ICC, which mandates Test-playing nations to support women’s cricket, faces criticism for
Amu: Kandahar Province, regarded as the Taliban’s power base, is hosting a three-day exhibition showcasing domestic products from 150 Afghan manufacturers. However, as the event entered its second day on Sunday, sources reported that women had been barred from attending. Despite the prominent role women play in producing these items, they have been excluded from
The Conversation: The economic cost could potentially reach over a billion dollars – and this doesn’t include the wider social costs associated with lower levels of education for women. For context, Afghanistan’s entire gross domestic product was just $17 billion in 2023. Our study demonstrates how catastrophic the newest education ban could be, not just
Ariana: The Ministry of Economy in a new letter has warned that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) failing to stop women from working will be suspended and their licenses revoked. Two years ago, the ministry had issued a similar letter ordering that women’s work in NGOs be stopped. Experts say that this restriction could have widespread negative
Amu: The Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a directive banning the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook neighboring homes, particularly those housing women. The order, which the Taliban say is aimed at “preserving privacy and protecting women from potential harm,” imposes strict limitations on property owners. According to the decree, individuals building
Afghanistan International: Rahmatullah Jaber, the Taliban’s education chief in Herat, announced in a letter that girls’ education above the sixth grade in private education centres is prohibited. The Taliban official said that girls’ education above the sixth grade is prohibited by Mullah Hibatullah’s decree until “further notice”. Click here to read more (external link).
Khaama: Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Syria, recently stated in an interview that he believes in women’s freedom and education and will not let Syria become like Afghanistan. In his interview with BBC World Service on Wednesday, December 18, Jolani emphasized that Syria differs from Afghanistan, where women’s education is heavily restricted. He clarified
Amu: The Taliban’s ban on education for girls above sixth grade and women in universities has forced many young women into marriages they neither wanted nor consented to, as families struggle with the restrictive environment. Ziba, a 21-year-old former university student, is one such victim. Forced into marriage after the Taliban shut down universities, she
As the academic year ends in Afghanistan, students are saying goodbye to their teachers and classmates. But for girls as young as 11, it’s the end of their education altogether, due to the Taliban’s prohibition on girls studying after the sixth grade. One top student, whose identity has been concealed for her safety, told RFE/RL’s