Afghan women activists are calling for former government sports officials to be held accountable for the failed evacuation of the country’s female athletes since 2021.
Members of the Afghan women’s rights group Purple Saturdays have released a statement calling on the international sporting community to take action against officials who received support to help female athletes but who failed to pass it on to those it was intended for.
The movement is urging sport advocacy organizations, including the International Olympic Committee and FIFA, to keep officials of the former Afghan government sports accountable.
It accused the former officials of corruption saying some people were evacuated under false pretenses using resources and support designated for athletes.
It’s meant some athletes remain trapped in Afghanistan who face ongoing threats from the Taliban.
In the statement ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the protest movement highlighted the plight of female athletes in the country.
“Before the Taliban took control, female athletes celebrated International Women’s Day conducting competitions, major meetings, and launching campaigns against violence towards women,” it said.
“However, for the past two years, not only did women not celebrate such days, but they were also arrested and tortured just for raising their voice in protest against the Taliban’s tyranny.”
Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has disbanded all women’s and girls’ sports teams, including national teams representing the country at international meets.
Purple Saturdays has called on the Taliban’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Afghanistan’s National Olympic Committee, and sports federations to facilitate the reintegration of women into sports clubs and recreational facilities across the country.
The movement has also sought solidarity from male athletes who it called on to take a stand against the Taliban’s mistreatment of their fellow female athletes.
