Summer vacation in Afghanistan: Women fight for freedom and sport

Summer vacation in Afghanistan: Women fight for freedom and sport

A remarkable transformation in tourism is taking place in Afghanistan, despite the continued harsh political conditions under the Taliban government. Somaya Moniry, an Afghan tourism entrepreneur, starts her tour in front of a light blue front door and shows foreign tourists the sides of the country that are often obscured by Western reporting. Their program includes, among other things, taekwondo training, led by an Afghan trainer, in a gym in which twenty young women are active. These women, wearing taekwondo suits and headscarves, represent a measure of empowerment, even though women's and girls' sports are severely restricted in Afghanistan. FAZ.net reports that Moniry has obtained permission from the Ministry of Tourism in Kabul to organize such tours, which is an amazing step.

The Taliban want to bring foreign currency into the country and improve their international image by promoting tourism. Foreign tourists are greeted at the airport with a “Welcome to Afghanistan” but must register with the secret service. Moniry has the courage to show her homeland and offers insights into life away from conflict. This also includes visiting a shrine where women come together on women's days.

Sports for women and girls

However, the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan remains critical. After the Taliban came to power, women are largely excluded from sports. The Afghan girls' national soccer team is now training in Portugal after the players and their families were rescued from Afghanistan in September 2021. Deutschlandfunk explains that The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered the Taliban government to support female athletes, otherwise Afghanistan will be excluded from international competitions. In her criticism, Friba Rezayee, the first Afghan Olympian, draws a harsh conclusion about the IOC's leniency and calls for immediate exclusion.

The Taliban continue to allow men to participate in sports, while women are severely disadvantaged in this regard. For many Afghan women, sport is viewed as life-threatening, which makes it even more difficult to find social freedom. Some athletes have left the country, while others no longer want their sporting talent and have burned their awards. Moniry, on the other hand, gives women a space to express themselves and be active with its tours and offers, even if access to parks and leisure locations is severely restricted.

FIFA has been criticized for not taking any steps to prevent the exclusion of the women's football team. Women are not allowed to visit national parks and tourist attractions in Afghanistan, while tourists from abroad are welcome. Despite the odds, the efforts of many Afghan women to realize their rights are incredibly strong, and Moniry gives voice and visibility to those among them who still want to take a step forward. The increasing number of foreign tourist visits - 8,414 in 2024, an increase compared to previous years - shows that there is interest in Afghanistan's cultural diversity, even under current political realities.

The situation in Afghanistan remains complex. Active voices like those of Somaya Moniry and Friba Rezayee are crucial to both maintaining international dialogue and creating the required space for women's domestic activism.