A 22-year-old Afghan woman, reportedly running a taekwondo gym for girls, has been released after spending 13 days in jail, a spokesman for the Taliban’s Supreme Court confirmed.
Detention Over “Violations”
The woman, identified as Khadija Ahmadzada, was detained near the western city of Herat for alleged violations of rules governing women’s sports gyms. According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue, inspectors accused her of:
- Not wearing a “proper hijab”
- Playing music in the gym
- Allowing genders to mix
She was sentenced to 13 days in jail after what officials described as multiple warnings.
Restrictions on Women’s Sports
Women’s sports clubs in Afghanistan have been closed since 2021, shortly after the Taliban returned to power. Authorities initially promised they would reopen once a “safe environment” was established under their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
As of January 2026, no sports facilities for women have reopened, and female athletes remain barred from competing.
This case highlights the broader restrictions imposed on Afghan women since 2021, including curtailed rights to education, employment, and freedom of dress.
Supreme Court Decision
The case was referred to the Supreme Court, which announced Ahmadzada’s release on Thursday, January 23, 2026. Her current whereabouts remain unclear.
International Reaction
News of Ahmadzada’s arrest sparked an outcry on social media, drawing attention from Richard Bennett, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan. Bennett publicly called for her immediate release and highlighted the detention of female journalist Nazira Rashidi in Kunduz in late December.
Taliban spokesmen deny Rashidi’s detention is related to her work as a journalist, according to local media reports.
Conclusion
Ahmadzada’s case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule, where restrictions on education, work, and public life remain deeply entrenched. While her release offers a momentary reprieve, the broader struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan continues to draw global concern.
