About Zan Times
Zan Times is a women-led, investigative newsroom that covers human rights violations in Afghanistan with a focus on women, the LGBTQ community, and environmental issues.
We are a group of mainly women journalists working both inside and outside Afghanistan to tell stories of the marginalized populations who rarely have a voice to shape and inform public discourse.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, women and other marginalized groups have faced systematic repression, violence, and the complete erasure of their social and political rights. 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 suppressing us for who we are. Zan Times was born out of the need to reclaim our autonomy and self-determination, to seek ways to shape and define the future we want to live in, and fight for equality and freedom for all.
At Zan Times, we believe that change begins with awareness. Therefore, our vision is to build an independent, accountable, and professional newsroom for raising awareness and sharing analysis about the lives of disadvantaged groups in Afghanistan. As many of us worked as journalists in Afghanistan, we are aware of the challenges, dangers, and opportunities of working in the media landscape and are doing our part in making sure the stories of the country are told. To that end, we are building on what Zan Times created in 2022, when we produced more than 60 reports and 200 daily news articles in Dari-Farsi and English.
In 2023, we are focusing on producing in-depth and investigative reports on the lives of the most marginalized, while also supporting our team by building its capacity.
At Zan Times, we know it is the time of women and the time to ensure their voices are heard.
Mission
To empower women journalists to tell stories of the marginalized through investigative reporting.
Pledge on Social Impact and Diversity
At Zan Times, we are committed to promoting social impact and diversity in all aspects of our work. As a women-led, investigative newsroom covering human rights violations in Afghanistan with a focus on women, the LGBTQ community, and environmental issues, we recognize the importance of diversity in the stories we cover, the sources we use, and the voices we amplify.
We pledge to continue providing a platform for women of Afghanistan who are facing systematic erasure from public life in Taliban’s gender apartheid. We will work tirelessly to ensure our reporting reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the communities we cover, and we will make every effort to prioritize those who have historically been underrepresented.
Furthermore, we pledge to create an inclusive and supportive work environment that celebrates diversity and encourages the growth and development of all team members. We are committed to building the capacity of our team by providing access to training, mentorship opportunities, and extending financial aid for mental health while also fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
As a newsroom that emerged out of the need to reclaim autonomy and self-determination, we recognize that diversity and inclusion are critical to achieving the kind of equality and freedom we are fighting for. We will continue to push boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and amplify the voices of those who have been historically marginalized.
Signed,
Editor-in-Chief Zan Times
Zahra Nader