A new investigation by journalists from Zan Times has documented 231 cases involving women and girls killed across 10 provinces of Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

Published: 8 August 2026

Published by The Guardian on 7 August 2026, the investigation raises serious concerns about violence against women, suspicious deaths officially classified as suicide, access to justice, and accountability.

Of the 231 documented cases, 174 had previously been reported by local media, while another 57 cases were documented by the investigating journalists and had not previously been reported in the media.

The investigation covers 10 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. The figure of 231 therefore does not represent the total number of women killed across Afghanistan since August 2021.

Direct source:
Zan Times investigation published by The Guardian — 7 August 2026

Key Findings

The investigation documented:

• 231 cases involving women and girls killed
• 53 deaths officially classified as suicide
• 58 cases in which an arrest was recorded
• 165 victims identified as housewives
• 174 cases previously reported by local media
• 57 previously unreported cases documented by the investigating journalists

The victims ranged in age from five to 65 years old.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Investigation data and key findings

Jawzjan Records the Highest Number Among the Provinces Highlighted

Among the provinces highlighted in the investigation, Jawzjan recorded 36 cases, followed by Herat with 32, Badakhshan with 28 and Ghazni with 26.

These figures reflect documented cases within the investigation and should not be interpreted as provincial prevalence rates or as proof that these provinces have Afghanistan’s highest actual rates of killings of women.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Provincial figures from the Zan Times investigation

53 Deaths Officially Classified as Suicide

One of the investigation’s most concerning findings is that 53 of the 231 deaths were officially classified as suicides.

Journalists identified cases in which families or witnesses raised allegations of domestic violence surrounding a woman’s death.

The investigation also cites a health worker in Jawzjan who said that some bodies of women brought to hospital following deaths described as suicide showed signs of injuries and bruising.

These findings do not establish that all 53 deaths were homicides. However, where physical injuries, allegations of previous abuse or other suspicious circumstances exist, an independent forensic and judicial investigation is essential.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Findings concerning deaths classified as suicide

The Case of Liza Shams

One of the cases examined in the investigation concerns Liza Shams, 33, whose family believes she was killed.

According to the investigation, neighbours heard screaming on the afternoon of 1 February and alerted police. Her father said that he had seen serious injuries on his daughter’s face during a video call before her death.

Liza was taken to Rahmat Hospital in Kabul by her sisters and, according to the report, died approximately an hour after arriving.

Medical documents examined by the journalists reportedly showed multiple facial fractures as well as extensive injuries and swelling.

Despite those injuries, the forensic report reportedly identified ingestion of rat poison as the probable cause of death. According to the investigation, no autopsy was performed.

Liza’s family believes she was killed, while her husband’s family has said she died by suicide.

The circumstances surrounding her death therefore raise serious questions that require credible and independent investigation.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Liza Shams case

Only 58 Arrests Recorded

Across the 231 documented cases, arrests were recorded in 58.

The investigation reports that in some cases suspects were subsequently released after relatively short periods.

The findings raise a broader question about accountability: whether suspicious deaths are effectively investigated, forensic evidence is preserved, suspects are prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists, and families have meaningful access to justice.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Arrest and accountability findings

Protection Mechanisms for Afghan Women

The findings emerge against a broader deterioration in institutional protections available to Afghan women.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, institutions and mechanisms previously established to address violence against women were dismantled or ceased operating in their previous form.

The investigation points to the dissolution of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the disappearance of specialized prosecution structures dealing with violence against women, the collapse of the women’s shelter network, and the exclusion of women judges and prosecutors from the judicial system.

Direct source:
The Guardian — Zan Times investigation

Human Rights Watch has separately documented continuing restrictions on women and girls and serious concerns about access to justice and fundamental rights in Afghanistan.

Independent source:
Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Afghanistan

Concerns Over Taliban Criminal Regulations

Amnesty International has also raised concerns about the Taliban’s new criminal procedure regulation.

In an assessment published on 6 March 2026, Amnesty said the regulation deepens discrimination against women and minority groups and significantly weakens legal protections.

The organization specifically raised concerns about provisions dealing with domestic violence and restrictions imposed on women within marriage.

Direct source:
Amnesty International — Afghanistan: New criminal regulation targets women and minority groups

Afghanistan Spiegel’s Position

For Afghanistan Spiegel, the significance of this investigation extends beyond the figure of 231.

The findings raise fundamental questions about violence against women, suspicious deaths, access to justice, the ability of families to obtain credible investigations, and accountability for perpetrators.

Every suspicious death of a woman or girl should be subject to a credible and independent investigation. Medical and forensic evidence must be preserved, witnesses and families must be protected, and allegations of violence must be investigated without interference.

At the same time, individual criminal responsibility must be determined through credible evidence and an independent judicial process.

The 231 documented cases should therefore be treated as a basis for further investigation rather than as the final measure of violence against women across Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Spiegel’s Call to the International Community

Afghanistan Spiegel calls on the United Nations, UN Women, UNAMA, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, the European Union, international human rights organizations and governments engaged with the Taliban to give serious and sustained attention to these findings.

We call for independent investigations into killings and suspicious deaths of women and girls, protection for victims’ families and witnesses, preservation of medical and forensic evidence, and meaningful access to justice for women facing violence.

International engagement with the Taliban should include clear and measurable human rights benchmarks, particularly regarding the protection of women and girls, access to justice, independent investigation of suspicious deaths, protection of journalists and accountability for perpetrators.

Where these obligations are ignored, the international community should use available diplomatic, political and lawful accountability mechanisms to increase pressure for measurable change.

The 231 documented cases must not become 231 anonymous numbers. They should trigger broader investigation, sustained international scrutiny and a clear demand for accountability.