Noshaba Ashna

Afghan women farmers call for international support

Author says ban on her book reflects Taliban's repression of women

More than 400 titles are banned after being deemed against 'Islamic principles and national interest'

Afghan woman thankful for US opportunities, hopes for Afghan girls’ return to school

Sediqa Khalili was a captain in the Afghan military until the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. She was evacuated to the United States, and she says she is grateful for the opportunities but heartbroken by the worsening conditions for women in Afghanistan.

New gallery at Marine Corps Museum tells story of Afghanistan

A new gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps features the stories and experiences of U.S. Marines who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. From Triangle, Virginia, VOA's Noshaba Ashna has the story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. Roshan Noorzai contributed to this story.

How sisterhood of writers helped Afghan women through Taliban takeover

The Taliban's return to power brought restrictions for women, but a collective of writers found hope in a WhatsApp group; their messages are now a book

Taliban relocation plan could worsen humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, analysts say

Taliban have called on national, international organizations to support their relocation plan

Afghanistan third worst in world for press freedom

Taliban media restrictions and censorship are increasing, journalists and media analysts say

In Afghanistan, Some Female Journalists Find Ways to Stay on Air

With women being pushed out of public life in Afghanistan, brave female reporters remain committed to finding ways to keep reporting. For VOA, Noshaba Ashna has the story, narrated by Shaista Sadat Lami. Roshan Noorzai contributed.

Taliban Bar Women from Pursuing Certain University Subjects

Young girls say they were not given the option to choose specific subjects in the national university entrance exam

Afghan Women Protest After School Bombing

Inspired by protests in neighboring Iran, women in Afghanistan took to the streets after a suicide bombing at an education center in Kabul killed dozens of people, most of them school girls. Nazrana Ghaffar Yousufzai reports.

Afghan Baby Accidentally Sent to Norway During Evacuation Thriving in US

Two-and-a-half-year-old Farzad, who was separated from his family for more than 40 days during his family's evacuation from Kabul, is now going to kindergarten

War Drives Thousands of Afghan Refugees Out of Ukraine

War has forced more than 3 million people out of Ukraine, the largest mass migration in Europe since World War II

'Our Values Were Trampled,’ Afghan Journalist Says 

For years, the Anwari sisters reported from Kandahar, but the return of Taliban rule meant uprooting their lives

The Inside Story - Afghanistan and the Taliban - Episode 27

Afghan Commander Relocated to US Hopes to Reunite His Family

Abdul Kabir Salarzai is hoping to be reunited with his family in the United States, after being evacuated from eastern Afghanistan, where he worked as a local anti-Taliban commander. He left the area with only part of his family after Kabul fell to the Taliban.

Afghan Family Adjusts to Life in US Without Their Mother

In August, Jan Mohammad Saber, a former local United Nations employee in Afghanistan, and his five children were evacuated from the country, but his wife was left behind. The children are now trying to adjust to their life in the U.S. without their mother. VOA’s Noshaba Ashna reports from Atlanta, Georgia.

Afghan Refugees in Albania Start Temporary Classes for Their Children

Afghan refugees in Albanian have set up a makeshift school so that their children can continue their education. Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan this past August, thousands of Afghans were evacuated to Albania and are awaiting relocation to a third nation. Noshaba Ashna reports

Child Lost During Afghanistan Evacuation Reunites With Mother in US

Eighteen-month-old Farzad went on quite a long journey after being separated from his parents

Afghan Woman Shot in Face Turns to Public Speaking to Combat Domestic Violence

About 52 percent of women in Afghanistan have experienced violence in their homes, according to the World Health Organization. VOA’s Noshaba Ashna has the story of an Afghan woman who was disfigured by her husband but moved on to a better life and to advocate for women’s right

Young Afghan Girl Has Lived in Prison All Her Life

Eleven years ago a little girl named Mina was born in an Afghan prison and to this day, she has never seen the outside world. The child, who lives with her mother in the Nangarhar Prison in the city of Jalalabad, Afghanistan, is curious to see what life is like outside the prison's four walls. VOA reporter Zabihullah Ghazi talked to the girl and her mother at the Nangarhar Prison.