Women in Afghanistan have been living in fear since the Taliban took complete control of the nation in August 2021, after almost two decades of fighting with the US-led force. The Taliban are considered to be a pro-Islamic group that favors the implementation of Islamic Sharia rule across Afghanistan. Women, in particular, have spoken out openly in support of their equal rights. The Taliban administration is working hard to modify its stance on women's rights. However, according to reports, the Taliban government opposes allowing women to participate in sports, particularly cricket and football. Will the Taliban regime in Afghanistan outlaw women's sports?
What is the Taliban's Stance on Women's Sports?
It's understandable why the Taliban rule opposes women participating in sports. A woman is not allowed to reveal her face or other body parts under Islamic Sharia law. They will, however, be unable to uphold the law if they engage in outside activities. As a result, the Taliban encourages women to stay at home rather than go out, a decision that the West strongly condemns as violating women's rights. The majority of liberals reject the Taliban's plan to amend the constitution to include Islamic law.
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The deputy head of the Taliban's culture committee, Ahmadullah Wasiq spoke on women's sports in an interview with Australian network SBS. He argues that women's participation in sports, particularly cricket, is unnecessary according to sharia law. He stated unequivocally that Islam forbids women from participating in sports in which they will be exposed to the public.
Not just in sports, there are no female members of the cabinet in the newly formed Taliban government. It's a male-dominated government, which is worrisome.
Sportswomen have been hiding in various parts of Afghanistan since the Taliban took power last month. However, the current government appears to be more open-minded than the one that controlled the country from 1996 to 2001. That administration was more repressive and ruthless than the current one. This government is willing to develop international ties and listen to others before making any important decisions.
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Afghanistan Cricket Board Hopeful on Women's Participation in Cricket
Following reports that the Taliban may contemplate banning women's sports, Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Azizullah Fazli told Australian media that the government has yet to make a decision on the sensitive issue.The head of the ACB is optimistic about the future of women's cricket in Afghanistan. He also stated that the laws for women's cricket in the country will be made public shortly.
All of the members of the women's national cricket team are now in Afghanistan. They are refusing to leave when many others are being rushed to other countries.
Meanwhile, the Australian Cricket Board has stated that if the Taliban regime bans women's cricket in the nation, the historic Hobart Test against Afghanistan Men's team in November will be canceled. They have been vehemently opposed to the Taliban government's move.On the other side, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has urged the Australian Cricket Board to be less strict in their decision, which will have a significant impact on the development of Afghanistan's men's cricket team.
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Interestingly, the International Cricket Council demands all full members to have an active women's squad. If Afghanistan outlaws women's cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) may revoke Afghanistan's Test status. According to reports, the ICC will assess the issue at their next board meeting in November.
Bottom Line
The West have expressed concern over the Taliban government's treatment of women in general. The way we view of women's empowerment and gender equality clashes with the Taliban's true ideology. Though this Taliban administration supports women's education, it does so under stringent conditions. They don't want women to be exposed, therefore they encourage them to stay at home more. Continuing women's sports, particularly the outside game, in such a scenario would be extremely difficult in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's women must speak up and raise their voices in an attempt to get widespread support from the rest of the world to attain their human rights.
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