Exiled Afghan Women Footballers Seek Global Solidarity for Equal Rights

Exiled players of the Afghanistan Women's National Team call for global athletic solidarity in fighting for their right to compete, as they remain banned from international competitions under the Taliban regime. Highlighting the importance of unity, they urge FIFA's involvement to support gender equality in sports.

Players from the Afghanistan Women's National Team (AWNT) in exile have made an impassioned plea for global athletic solidarity as they push for their right to compete internationally. Their exclusion from World Cup qualifying events since the Taliban's takeover in 2021 has left them seeking support from fellow athletes worldwide.

The team has faced significant challenges, as the Taliban-controlled Afghan Football Federation has banned women's sports, citing Islamic law and local customs. At a press event by the Sports & Rights Alliance, AWNT captain Mursal Sadat emphasized the need for global unity. She called upon athletes worldwide to leverage their platforms for gender equality in sports.

The call has gained support from figures like Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on Afghanistan, who urged FIFA to take action. Khalida Popal, AWNT founder and former captain, stressed the need for collaboration rather than conflict, seeking to ensure that Afghan women can return to the international arena alongside women from other nations facing similar challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)