Category: Afghanistan

Women’s rights activists view these practices as hazardous and limiting the progress of women’s rights…reports Asian Lite News…reports Asian Lite News

Following the two years of Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, the lack of opportunities for girls has led them to fall into arranged marriages and denied enrollment in religious schools, reported Khaama Press.

Farzanah, an 11th-grade student said, “I have been living at home for two years, and I have fallen behind in my studies. I dreamed of becoming a successful doctor, but now I can only attend a religious school.”

She emphasized that women possess equal rights to pursue education as well as employment in society, just like men.

Moreover, women’s rights activists view these practices as hazardous and limiting the progress of women’s rights, Khaama Press reported.

Julia Parsi, a civil activist in Afghanistan’s women’s movement highlighted, “Afghan girls suffer from poor mental and emotional well-being due to rampant forced marriages. Tragically, instances of girls taking their own lives are being reported across various provinces.”

Parsi further stated that the Taliban government is trying to exclude women from social and economic spheres.

Since the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan schools banned girls from getting admitted beyond the sixth grade, and their expected reopening within these two years remains indefinitely deferred.

Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan caused displacement of multiple women from government and non-government positions which made them lose their jobs, reported Khaama Press.

The ban on women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan came into effect last month following the deadline given by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue on July 4, reported Tolo News.

Taliban, in a new verbal decree, banned women’s beauty salons in Kabul and other provinces across the country. Moreover, the ban on women’s beauty salons resulted in 60,000 women losing their jobs across the country.

Leila Basim, a women’s rights activist and protester, stressed that barring girls from education for two years severely harms women.

The United Nations said that the forced closure of women’s beauty salons could have a negative impact on the economy of women. The Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq also asked the Taliban authorities to halt the mandate of closing beauty salons, Tolo News reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Dozens of aid workers killed in Afghanistan in past 2 years

The OCHA humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan Daniel Endres said that most of them were polio vaccinators and deminers in the country….reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that 38 workers were killed during the last years, reported Tolo News.

The OCHA humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan Daniel Endres said that most of them were polio vaccinators and deminers in the country.

Endres noted, “We salute their courage and celebrate their dedication to serving humanity we also take a moment to pause to recognize those humanitarian workers who have lost their lives and were injured, abducted, arrested or remain in captivity or detention… 38 workers were killed during the last two years many of whom were polio vaccinators and deminers.”

Moreover, Asadullah Nadim, a military analyst said, “The Taliban government, which is currently in power, has a legal obligation to ensure the safety of aid workers and those who are engaged in distributing aid to the people of Afghanistan.”

However, despite the shortage of funding for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, last year UN employees provided humanitarian aid to more than 26 million people in 401 districts of Afghanistan, reported Tolo News.

“Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan reached more than 29 million people in need of assistance,” Endres added.

Whereas the Taliban spokesperson denied the claims made by the coordinator of humanitarian aid and said that the aid workers in Afghanistan have the support of the Taliban, Tolo News reported.

Zabiullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson said, “The Western institutions are all coordinated in presenting Afghanistan as an unsafe region and have started and are continuing their propaganda. This is not true; the Afghans are witnessing, and we are also witnessing that the aid workers were not harmed.”

Furthermore, eight health workers, including four women were shot and killed in separate attacks in February 2022, according to Tolo News.

The attacks were made by unidentified gunmen in the northern province of Kunduz and Takhar. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India continues wheat aid in Afghanistan

The event’s organizers have shared that the primary aim of this exhibition is to inspire and demonstrate the capabilities of women….reports Asian Lite News

Amidst ongoing challenges to women’s rights in Afghanistan, a group of over 20 women artists presented their paintings at an exhibition in Kabul, as reported by Tolo News.

The event’s organizers have shared that the primary aim of this exhibition is to inspire and demonstrate the capabilities of women.

In addition to the paintings, the exhibition also features a collection of over 250 books. This showcase is accessible to visitors for a duration of three days, Tolo News reported.

“The work of approximately 20 to 24 girls is exhibited here. We also have another book exhibition at the same time, so visitors can enjoy both the painting exhibition and the book,” said Rahila, an organizer of the event.

Several women artists who displayed their paintings also appealed for support and recognition from the Islamic Emirate for their artistic endeavours.

“In Afghanistan, we have many women artists who can’t show their ability, but our message to them is to not give up under any circumstance and participate in such exhibitions and display your art to the world,” Tolo News quoted an artist named Frozan.

“We called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools and universities for girls,” Hussna Aslami, another artist added.

A number of visitors at the exhibition also welcomed the idea of the exhibition and also urged the Taliban regime to provide work for women in the country.

“My purpose of participating in this gallery was to see the girls who were limited, the girls who have been able to shine under difficult conditions, I wanted to see the talent of Afghan girls and their creativity,” Tolo News quoted a visitor named Fahima Jafari.

“Please recognize women. It is not right that men work, and women stay at home. When they said that men and women have equal rights, they should also pay attention to it,” said Zahra Ahmadi, another visitor at the exhibition.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

It has imposed draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement for women and girls.

Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.

The Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bath houses. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India continues wheat aid in Afghanistan

As the Taliban regime completed its second year in Afghanistan after taking over the country, the women wished that their basic right to education will be given back to them….reports Asian Lite News

Girls and Women both students and teachers in Afghanistan who were deprived of their basic rights have demanded the reopening of educational institutes in the country for them, TOLONews reported.

As the Taliban regime completed its second year in Afghanistan after taking over the country, the women wished that their basic right to education will be given back to them.

“Yesterday, I thought that maybe schools, universities, and many other places that were closed would open but they didn’t,” said Marwa, a student.

“We call on the government to reopen schools and universities for girls,” said Najma, a student.

Meanwhile, some students and teachers warn of the negative consequences of closing girls’ schools and said that closing the gates of schools will spread illiteracy in the country more than before, as per TOLONews.

“There was some news in social media about reopening schools and universities for girls but it didn’t happen, the closure of the schools is not beneficial for our country,” said Fahima, a student.

The question is why the plan to reopen schools and universities has not been finalized after two years of Islamic Emirate rule, according to TOLONews.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

Taliban has imposed draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement for women and girls.

Not only this, Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.

The Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bath houses.

Karzai urges Taliban

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on the country’s 104th independence anniversary, urged the Taliban to reopen girls’ schools and universities, emphasizing that true independence requires educational access for all, Khaama Press reported.

Karzai talked about the critical role of knowledge and stressed that achieving peace, stability, development, and independence requires acquiring knowledge.

Karzai urged all to educate their children, including girls. He called on the Taliban to open schools for girls and promote nationwide education for true independence.

“I wish all the people of our country to spare no effort in educating their children, including both boys and girls. On this historic day, I once again ask the Taliban to open the gates of schools and universities to girls as soon as possible and to provide education for everyone throughout the country so that by salvaging from dependence on others, we will gain independence in its real sense and own a self-reliant country,” Karzai said, as per Khaama Press.

The former president emphasized that overcoming challenges and achieving peace demands bolstering national unity, enhancing harmony, and promptly initiating intra-Afghan talks.

He said he believes these steps are essential for resolving issues and establishing lasting stability within the country, according to Khaama Press.

Meanwhile, girls and women both students and teachers in Afghanistan who were deprived of their basic rights have demanded the reopening of educational institutes in the country for them, TOLONews reported.

As the Taliban regime completed its second year in Afghanistan after taking over the country, the women wished that their basic right to education will be given back to them.

“Yesterday, I thought that maybe schools, universities, and many other places that were closed would open but they didn’t,” said Marwa, a student.

“We call on the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls,” said Najma, a student.

Meanwhile, some students and teachers warn of the negative consequences of closing girls’ schools and said that closing the gates of schools will spread illiteracy in the country more than before, as per TOLONews. (ANI)

ALSO READ: In 2 years, over 200 media outlets shut down in Afghanistan

The report stated that the drought in the past three years in Afghanistan and the economic crisis over the past two years have increased the needs of the people of the country….reports Asian Lite News

Amid the ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, 15.5 million people in the country are suffering from severe food insecurity, Tolo News reported citing a report by the International Federation of Red Cross.

Expressing distress over the crisis, the report stated that the drought in the past three years in Afghanistan and the economic crisis over the past two years have increased the needs of the people of the country.

It further stated that 2.7 million people in Afghanistan are facing famine, reported TOLO News.

Seyar Qureshi, an economist said, “In the short term, the Islamic Emirate should talk with the international community for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan continues and prevent a humanitarian crisis.”

Whereas, the Taliban Ministry of Economy said that international aid has not been provided to the development sector. Adding to this, they said that the ministry has launched large economic projects to battle the economic challenges in the country.

Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy of the Economy Ministry said, “The aid of the international community has been humanitarian until now, and no significant development aid has been provided. Our effort is to help reduce poverty and provide employment for the people of Afghanistan by attracting development aid and launching large national projects.”

Moreover, Kabul residents have been complaining that they are dealing with economic problems and there is a need to pay more attention to entrepreneurship for people, according to TOLO News.

Dawood, a Kabul resident said, “Organizations that make these donations distribute to those who deserve it. Winter is coming and how will people get their fuel?”

Notably, Taliban completed two years since its takeover of Kabul in 2021. During this period, aid organizations have continuously expressed their concern about the increase in poverty as well as the lack of funds for the people.

The Goverment of India has partnered with United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) for the internal distribution of wheat within Afghanistan.”Under this partnership, India has supplied a total of 47,500 MTs of wheat assistance to UNWFP centres in Afghanistan.

The recent ongoing shipments are being sent through Chabahar Port and being handed over to UNWFP at Herat in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) in Afghanistan thanked India for its help in providing life-saving food to 16 million people in the country.

The generous contribution by the goverment of India has been acknowledged by the relevant stakeholders in Afghanistan, including UNWFP.

On the medical assistance side, India has so far supplied almost 200 tons of medical assistance consisting of essential medicines, COVID vaccines, anti-TB medicines and medical/surgical items like Pediatric Stethoscopes, Sphygmomanometer mobile type with pediatric BP cuffs, infusion pumps, drip chamber set, electrocautery, nylon sutures etc. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘Afghanistan refugees being let down by UK’

According to AIJA findings, over 7,000 media professionals, including many women lost their jobs, forcing many to seek overseas opportunities…reports Asian Lite News

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, more than 200 media outlets have shut down, with many of these closures being attributed to financial issues they faced due to the ongoing economic crisis, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

The Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) in its latest findings revealed that more than 200 cases of violence and arrests involving journalists were recorded in the country. As per the news report, 13 journalists in Afghanistan continue to remain imprisoned.

According to AIJA findings, over 7,000 media professionals, including many women lost their jobs, forcing many to seek overseas opportunities, Khaama Press reported. The trend has overshadowed the media industry in Afghanistan as the once-vibrant workforce is uprooted and dispersed due to the changing political circumstances.

The departure of these skilled professionals showcases loss to the domestic media industry and sparks concerns regarding the diversity of voices and views that have been a hallmark of a thriving media ecosystem, according to the report.

Hujatullah Mujadidi, head of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association, said, “Before the victory of the Islamic Emirate, we had 600 media outlets in Afghanistan, of which 213 media outlets are currently closed; most of them were print media outlets,” Khaama Press reported.

Mujadidi stated, “We have 13 or 12 journalists under arrest, one of whom is [Afghan-French journalist Morteza] Behboodi; another one [is in custody], but his media [employer] has not confirmed his employment; and eight other people who were arrested in the last two or three days.”

Many journalists have said that media restrictions and a lack of timely information from Taliban-led government institutions have resulted in making the work conditions challenging for them. They stressed that the recent arrests of several journalists by the Taliban have sparked fear and despair among the media persons.

Earlier this month, a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that more than 80 per cent of the female journalists in Afghanistan have been forced to leave their work since the Taliban takeover, Khaama Press reported.

RSF, in their report titled ‘2 Years of Journalism under the Taliban Regime’, has revealed that over 80 per cent of Afghanistan’s female journalists have been forced to halt their work since the ominous date of August 15, 2021.

According to the report, of the roughly 12,000 male and female journalists that Afghanistan had in 2021, “more than two-thirds have abandoned the profession, and the media have been decimated in the past two years.”

The report also highlights that over 50 per cent of the 547 media outlets registered in 2021 have subsequently vanished, Khaama Press reported. The RSF’s report revealed that among the 307 radio stations, merely 170 are actively broadcasting. Furthermore, the count of news agencies has reduced from 31 to 18 within the past two years. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘Afghanistan refugees being let down by UK’

During the demonstration on Monday, diaspora leaders spoke on the rights of Afghan people and the need for the world to stand by Afghan people …reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan Cultural Association (AKIS) in collaboration with Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) organised a protest in front of the United Nations Office in Austria’s Vienna to mark the anniversary of Taliban rule in the country.

During the demonstration on Monday, diaspora leaders spoke on the rights of Afghan people and the need for the world to stand by Afghan people to guarantee their basic rights and livelihood.

They raised slogans against Pakistan and their intelligence agent for their interference in Afghan affairs and for being the real reason for the present status of Afghanistan.

Ghousuddin Mir, President of AKIS, stated that Pakistan is using the present situation in Afghanistan and imposing its interest on the Taliban. They have illegally occupied territories of Afghanistan along the borders. They are using Afghanistan as a source for their drug trafficking networks.

Satori Khan, President of PTM in Vienna said women’s education is very important for human development and depriving women of education and their rights will have a strong impact on Afghan society.

The international community should put pressure on the Taliban to guarantee women’s rights. This should be the basis for any dealings with the Taliban, Khan added.

Hakan Gördü, leader of a newly formed Austrian political party viz., Social Austria of the Future also joined the protest and spoke in support of the demonstrators.

Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.

Taliban has imposed draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement for women and girls.

Not only this, Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.

The Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bath houses. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘Afghanistan refugees being let down by UK’