On January 5, 2026, a young woman named Mehr Sana was shot and killed by her former husband in front of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance in Kabul.
The ministry is located near the Presidential Palace, in one of the city’s busiest areas with heavy daily pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Despite the area’s proximity to key government buildings and its high visibility, the attacker managed to escape after the shooting.
The killing underscores the persistent dangers faced by women even after separation or divorce. Violence by former spouses remains a serious threat, while protection mechanisms for women facing such risks are limited.
The incident reflects the broader pattern of violence against women in Afghanistan, where domestic abuse and targeted killings continue amid weak accountability and inadequate timely intervention.