An Interview with Zahra Nader, Founder of Zan Times
Unveiling Afghanistan’s Crisis Through Journalism
What happens when a fearless journalist refuses to let the world forget the plight of Afghan women? Meet Zahra Nader, the editor-in-chief of Zan Times, a trailblazing women-led investigative newsroom documenting human rights violations in Afghanistan with a focus on women and the LGBTQI+ community.
In the face of the Taliban’s oppressive regime, Zahra and her team have become relentless advocates for Afghan women, exposing the stark realities of gender apartheid while demanding urgent global action.
The Birth of Zan Times: Courage in Crisis
Zan Times emerged amidst a moment of despair, as Zahra recounts: “Zan Times was born out of this moment of desperation—of anger, of us trying to speak our truth in the face of injustice and brute violence that suppresses us for who we are: women.”
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan has become the epicenter of the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis. Women and girls have been systematically stripped of their rights to education, work, and freedom of speech. Zahra’s mission is clear:
“We are here to keep the world informed about what is happening in the only country on the planet that denies women’s basic human rights to education and work. Our colleagues in Afghanistan risk their lives to report the truth, hoping to inspire action in support of the marginalized populations in our country.”
The Forgotten Crisis
Despite the gravity of the situation, Afghanistan has faded from the global news agenda. Zahra highlights the glaring omission: “No one talks about Afghanistan anymore. Maybe on the Taliban’s takeover anniversary or International Women’s Day, you’ll see articles. But that’s it. Mainstream media’s failure to engage local women journalists—relying instead on male or international voices—means the true stories of Afghan women are left untold.”
Afghanistan’s Gender Apartheid
The Taliban’s policies systematically erase women from public life. Women are barred from attending university, traveling without a male chaperone, or working in most sectors. Even female doctors, exempt from some restrictions, face insurmountable obstacles like paying male guardians to accompany them to work or being forced out of their jobs due to lack of mahram (male relatives).
The impact is devastating:
- Women’s freedom of movement and employment are obliterated.
- Families lose vital incomes, plunging deeper into poverty.
- The entire female population is silenced, trapped, and excluded from society.
This harrowing reality is reflected in Afghanistan’s last-place ranking (177/177) on the Women, Peace, and Security Index.
Why This Crisis Matters to the World
Zahra reminds us:
“Afghan women’s rights are not only Afghan women’s problem. They’re a global problem for women’s rights. It sets the bar so low for what can be denied to women. The world’s inaction is terrifying—it shows how precarious women’s rights are everywhere.”
The international community’s response has been inadequate, focusing more on political negotiations than women’s rights. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s oppressive measures continue unchecked, threatening to normalize such egregious violations globally.
What Can Be Done?
The global community must act now. Zahra calls for:
- Media Coverage: Consistent, inclusive reporting that amplifies Afghan women’s voices.
- Global Solidarity: Recognizing Afghan women’s struggle as a universal fight for gender equality.
- Political Accountability: Holding the Taliban and their international enablers responsible for their actions.
“When the world treats Taliban leaders with reverence while they oppress women, it sends a chilling message about the insignificance of women’s rights globally,” Zahra concludes.
Join the Movement for Afghan Women
Afghan women’s rights are a litmus test for global gender equality. Their fight is our fight. Let’s not only stand in solidarity but take action—because the destiny of women everywhere is intertwined.
Don’t miss this inspiring story of courage and resilience. Listen to our interview with Zahra Nader on Behind the Headlines.
Read More and Support the Mission
Dive deeper into Zahra’s inspiring journey and the fight for Afghan women’s rights in the full article, now available on Wempower Magazine. Discover exclusive insights into the stories Zan Times is uncovering and how they are making a global impact.
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