Khadija Ahmadzada, a 22-year-old Afghan woman who reportedly ran 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 allegedly violating rules related to women's sports gyms as proclaimed by the Taliban's ministry of vice and virtue.
Since the Taliban resumed power in 2021, sports clubs have been closed to women, with authorities suggesting they would reopen once a 'safe environment' conforming to their strict interpretation of Islamic law was established. However, as of January 2026, no sports club has reopened, and women remain barred from competing.
Ahmadzada was arrested after inspectors observed supposed violations at her gym, including accusations of not wearing a 'proper hijab', playing music, and allowing inter-gender mixing—a serious offense under the current regime. After being sentenced to 13 days, her case was escalated to the supreme court, leading to her eventual release on January 22nd. The specifics of her current status remain unclear.
Her arrest ignited an uproar on social media and drew the attention of Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, who publicly called for her release. Ahmadzada's case was not isolated, with media reports also highlighting the detention of female journalist Nazira Rashidi, further emphasizing the ongoing plight of women's rights under the Taliban's rule.
Since the Taliban resumed power in 2021, sports clubs have been closed to women, with authorities suggesting they would reopen once a 'safe environment' conforming to their strict interpretation of Islamic law was established. However, as of January 2026, no sports club has reopened, and women remain barred from competing.
Ahmadzada was arrested after inspectors observed supposed violations at her gym, including accusations of not wearing a 'proper hijab', playing music, and allowing inter-gender mixing—a serious offense under the current regime. After being sentenced to 13 days, her case was escalated to the supreme court, leading to her eventual release on January 22nd. The specifics of her current status remain unclear.
Her arrest ignited an uproar on social media and drew the attention of Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, who publicly called for her release. Ahmadzada's case was not isolated, with media reports also highlighting the detention of female journalist Nazira Rashidi, further emphasizing the ongoing plight of women's rights under the Taliban's rule.
