An Afghan Taekwondo champion, Marzieh Hamidi, 21, has faced over 5,000 threatening calls and messages after criticizing the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports.
Currently residing in Paris under police protection, Hamidi was harassed online for stating that the Afghan men’s cricket team does not represent Afghan women. She commented, “Taekwondo gives me more identity as a woman,” and referred to the Taliban-controlled men’s cricket team as “the Taliban team for me, not the Afghan team,” urging a ban on all Afghan teams in international sports competitions.
In Afghanistan, women are prohibited from engaging in sports, forcing many female athletes to compete as refugees or without any formal support. This gender discrimination highlights the Taliban’s ongoing oppressive measures against women. UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, noted, “They have created a situation where women and girls are unable to participate as full human beings in society.”
Hamidi’s comments on the cricket team have made her a target for Taliban sympathizers.
Threats she received included messages like, “We have your location. We will share it for the highest bidder.”
Another disturbing one read, “Where do you want me to rape you?”
One individual warned, “I only have 3 months left until my money is ready, then I can go directly to Paris and there I will cut your head off.” The Paris prosecutor’s office is currently investigating these threats.
Hamidi has also been criticized for her Western-style clothing and public presence. Her lawyer, Ines Davau, remarked, “They are criticising Marzieh Hamidi for being a woman, for speaking in public.” Hamidi expressed her frustration, stating, “In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to be women. They do not exist.”
Watch:
I’m launching this hashtag #LetUsExist to protest against the gender apartheid in Afghanistan and im inviting all of you to support Afghanistani women and to fight for gender equality ! pic.twitter.com/ZPwv0DD1aL
— marzieh hamidi (@MarziehHamidi) August 26, 2024
Despite the risks, she remains resolute, saying, “They want to make us invisible in Afghanistan; I want to show them that we are strong.”
Hamidi isn’t the only athlete facing such challenges. Afghan athletes like breakdancer Manizha Talash and sprinter Kimia Yousofi have also faced repercussions for their protests. Talash was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after revealing a cape with “Free Afghan Women” inscribed on it, while Yousofi used her platform to advocate for education and women’s rights during her events.
