Summary
Khadija Ahmadzada, a 22-year-old Afghan woman who ran a taekwondo gym for girls, was released after being jailed for 13 days by the Taliban. She was detained for breaking rules related to women's sports gyms, which have been closed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Her detention drew attention and calls for her release from international human rights observers.
Key Facts
- Khadija Ahmadzada, aged 22, was arrested for operating a gym for girls in Afghanistan.
- She spent 13 days in jail before being released by the Taliban.
- The Taliban cited "violations" of women's sports gym rules and improper conduct, including not wearing a proper hijab and playing music.
- Women's sports clubs in Afghanistan have remained closed since the Taliban assumed control in 2021.
- The Taliban claimed sports clubs would reopen once a "safe environment" was established, aligning with their interpretation of Islamic law.
- Ahmadzada's detention sparked protests on social media and drew international attention, including from the United Nations.
- Additional reports note other women, like journalist Nazira Rashidi, facing detention in Afghanistan.
- The situation is part of broader restrictions on women's rights under Taliban rule since 2021.
