human rights defender

Khadija Ahmad Zada

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

Continued protection and monitoring are recommended due to reported surveillance.

HRD's year of birth

2003

HRD's Gender

Woman

Type of HRD

  • Other

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Economic, social and cultural rights
  • Other
  • Women's rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Khadija Ahmad Zada is an Afghan taekwondo athlete and coach from Herat who has supported and trained girls and women in sports. She was reportedly associated with Afghanistan’s national taekwondo community and continued providing training to girls in Jebrael Township despite restrictions on women’s participation in sports. She also appeared in a documentary highlighting the situation of Afghan women under the Taliban. Her activities contribute to the promotion of women’s rights, access to sports, and freedom of participation in public and social life.

Detained since

Jan 10, 2026

Date of release

Jan 22, 2026

Charge(s)

  • Other

Sentence

13 days of detention.

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Herat

Location of detention - Facility

GDI detention center

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Her detention and the restrictions on her participation in women’s sports raised concerns regarding discrimination and violations of women’s rights.

Recent case update / evolution

According to Taliban judicial authorities, she had been sentenced to 13 days for allegedly violating Taliban morality regulations. Local sources reported that the allegations against her were not substantiated in court.

Any other relevant documents

https://www.change.org/p/free-khadija-ahmadzada-and-protect-afghan-girls-right-to-sport/u/34231751

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1evv6dz3e9o

https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15484465/Afghan-woman-faces-death-stoning-arrested-teaching-girls-taekwondo.html

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