Khadija Ahmadzada, a 22-year-old Afghan woman who reportedly ran a taekwondo gym for girls, was released after spending 13 days in jail, confirmed by a Taliban supreme court spokesman.
Ahmadzada was detained due to alleged violations of Taliban rules regarding women's sports gyms. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, sports clubs for women have been closed, with promises of reopening contingent upon creating a 'safe environment' that aligns with the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law.
As of January 2026, no women's sports clubs have yet reopened, leaving female athletes in a challenging position. Ahmadzada was detained alongside others for what were termed 'obvious violations' by vice and virtue inspectors. These violations included not adhering to hijab standards, playing music in her gym, and allowing gender mixing, leading to her imprisonment.
The case has sparked public outrage, with calls for her release gaining traction on social media and drawing attention from prominent figures, including the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett.
The situation illustrates the ongoing repression faced by women in Afghanistan, extending beyond sports to encompass education and employment freedoms, amidst a growing movement for their rights on an international scale.
