Hope for Afghanistan’s Women

As she began her new life, she said of her compatriots in Afghanistan: “We pray for them to be safe. Please don’t give up.”

Women athletes have become one of the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan, rising up against a traditional culture that had, until recently, not accepted females participating in sports. More than 75 people associated with the Afghanistan Women’s national football team, including players, officials, and their families, have managed to seek refuge in Australia.

FIFPRO, the worldwide association for professional footballers, has also been heavily involved in efforts to get the athletes out.

“We are grateful to the Australian government for evacuating a large number of women footballers and athletes from Afghanistan,” FIFPRO said in a statement. “These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a position of danger and on behalf of their peers around the world, we thank the international community for coming to their aid.”

Khalida Popal, a former Afghan women’s team captain now living in Denmark, hailed an important victory.

“The women footballers have been brave and strong in a moment of crisis and we hope they will have a better life outside Afghanistan,” she said.

Nikki Dryden, who swam for Canada at two Olympic Games, worked with an Australian lawyer to complete the visa applications for the athletes, who included two Afghan Paralympians.

“There are also many athletes still at risk in Afghanistan and every effort should be made to offer them support,” FIFPRO added.

KEEPING AFGHAN WOMEN VISIBLE

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last month, some rights and aid organizations have removed pictures of female beneficiaries, staff, and other local women from their websites, officials and employees said.

Mohammad Naciri, U.N. Women’s director for Asia and the Pacific, said the move to remove photographs was temporary and sought to ensure the safety of the women they work with.