Two of Afghanistan’s national sporting heroes have called on the Taliban to ban women from education and medicine, as the international cricket community tightens its grip on how to best address human rights concerns in the country.
Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team fled after the takeover in 2021 and no longer competes internationally, but the country’s men continue to play and trigger mass celebrations following historic victories. in England at the 50-over World Cup and Australia in the T20 version this year.
Rashid Khan, the head of the team, posted on social media on Thursday that women had the “right” to education and should be allowed to train as doctors and nurses.
“It is imperative that our sisters and mothers have access to care provided by medical professionals who truly understand their needs,” he said. “Providing education to all is not only a social responsibility, but a moral obligation deeply embedded in our faith and values.”
The Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, ordered on Monday to ban women from attending institutions offering medical education. She closed one of the last few cubits to navigate the government’s ban on education for older girls and women.
All rounder Mohammad Nabi could also be condemned on Thursday.
“This policy will not only harm the future of these girls, but also harm the entire region and nation,” he said. “Afghanistan also needs educated women in addition to educated men. Please, let’s revise this plan and get our girl’s education.
Australia’s defeat of Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup in June was one of the rare meetings between the two teams, after Cricket Australia was selected. do not play a series between two States The Taliban’s treatment of women.
Outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay this week accused the CA of hypocrisy, and the organization’s stance on allowing people to compete in Afghanistan.
“If you really want to make a political statement, don’t play them in the World Cup. Of course, the semi-final cost you, but principles are principles. It doesn’t have a half-start, he said.
Post Newsletter promotion
“It’s easy to kick Afghanistan out, but their board did nothing wrong. A decree and a series of labor laws that say you must do this. I don’t think it would take much interest from the king to kick them out there.
CA chair Mike Baird defended Australia’s approach and highlighted the country’s fruitful support for women cricketers who had fled Afghanistan.
“We got too proud,” he said. “We did the line, we took the place and stood proudly where we think we should be.”
Baird also confirmed that Afghan women’s ophthalmology in Australia will be formally celebrated by CA at an event in January.