"Four years since they last played an official match ahead of the devastation, destruction and displacement caused by the return of the Taliban, Afghanistan's women are ready to play for their country again. The "FIFA Unites: Women's Series" will see the newly formed Afghanistan women's refugee football team play against Chad, Libya and hosts the United Arab Emirates from October 23-29. While the games do matter, sending a message to the oppressive rulers of their homeland matters even more."
"It's not just about wearing the jersey of the Afghan Women's team. It's also about representing so many of the Afghan women that have been silenced and haven't got any voice to share it with the world. They have been banned from every single human right."
"Since the Taliban retook power in 2021, following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, women and girls in the country have had their rights stripped almost entirely. They cannot leave the house without a close male chaperone or be educated beyond a primary school level and face brutal punishments for any number of everyday actions."
The FIFA Unites: Women's Series will feature the newly formed Afghanistan women's refugee football team facing Chad, Libya and hosts the United Arab Emirates from October 23-29. The matches combine sporting competition with a political message directed at Afghanistan's oppressive rulers. Players carry responsibility to represent Afghan women who have been silenced and stripped of rights since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Restrictions include bans on movement without male chaperones, limits on education beyond primary school, prohibition of sport and the threat of brutal punishments. Many players fled the country and some have not seen each other for years.
Read at www.dw.com
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