A 22-year-old Afghan woman, Khadija Ahmadzada, who was reportedly running a taekwondo gym for girls, has been released after spending 13 days in jail, as confirmed by a spokesman for the Taliban's supreme court.
Ahmadzada was detained for being in violation of regulations regarding women's sports gyms, with specific accusations including improper hijab attire, playing music, and allowing gender mixing in her gym, as stated by the Taliban's ministry of vice and virtue.
Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, sports clubs have been closed to women, with the promise of reopening only under a 'safe environment' that aligns with the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law. To date, no such facilities have been reinstated, and women continue to be barred from competitive sports.
Ahmadzada, residing near Herat, was reportedly detained alongside others when inspections identified various violations. The ministry spokesman noted that she was subjected to multiple warnings before her arrest.
The response to her detention was swift, with social media calls for her release gaining traction. Richard Bennett, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, advocated for her release on social media, highlighting her case alongside that of Nazira Rashidi, a female journalist recently detained under similar pretenses.
The increasing number of restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban's takeover—including limitations on education, employment, and personal freedoms—continues to raise alarms regarding the future of women's rights in Afghanistan, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and action.
