For Afghan women, sport has long provided a rare opportunity to break free from societal constraints. Amid traditional pressures and limited freedoms, participating in sport promotes physical health and offers self-expression and empowerment. However, two significant challenges – societal restrictions and digital distractions – threaten to limit their participation.

In the early 2000s, Afghan women and girls began to set up the country’s first football teams, defying societal norms. One of the key figures in this movement was Khalida Popal, who, in 2007, with the support of the Afghan Football Association, helped establish the Afghan women’s football league. Popal and her friends saw football as more than just a game; it was a tool for empowerment, fostering confidence, physical well-being and solidarity.

Shamila Kohestani, the former captain of the Afghan women’s national football team, also fought for the right to play. In an interview with the BBC, Kohestani explained that football was more than a game in Afghanistan – it was an act of defiance against gender norms and a fight for freedom. For Kohestani, sport was a way to challenge entrenched societal expectations and provide women with a platform to be heard.

By 2021, the return of the Taliban to power devastated women’s rights, especially in sport. The Taliban banned women from participating in any sport, forcing athletes such as Popal and Kohestani to flee Afghanistan for their safety and careers.

Beyond political oppression, Afghan women face the growing obstacle of digital distractions. The rise of mobile phones and internet access has led to widespread use of social media and online entertainment, capturing the attention of younger generations. For women like Zuhal*, 23, from Herat, these digital spaces have replaced sport as a primary form of engagement.

Afghanistan has 3.7 million social media users, 8.6% of the population, according to data from January 2024. Facebook seems to be the most popular platform, but X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube are also used.

International organisations, NGOs and local communities can also support women’s sport programmes by providing resources and funding, as with the Afghan women’s cricket team. These initiatives will not only improve physical health, but empower Afghan women to overcome societal barriers and reclaim their space in sport.

Although sport has been silenced for Afghan women, their desire to participate remains strong. With initiatives including safer spaces and digital engagement as well as policy changes, sport can continue to empower Afghan women. The fight for sport participation is about challenging societal norms and reclaiming agency.

Afghan women’s resilience proves that the game is far from over.

* Names have been changed to protect identities