Evacuation of Afghan Female Athletes

For many years, Afghan women have been subjected to numerous layers of discrimination and injustice, extending from the family to society, government policies, and wrong traditions.

Afghan female football players in the democratic era aspired to use the ball to fight inequity on the football fields of the most adamant provinces. They serve as a bridge to a better future for the girls who would live in the country afterward, in the light of an inclusive constitution with talents, wisdom, and hope.

I, Hajar Abulfazl, challenged the taboo of women playing football and advocated for women's rights and empowerment through health and sport as a member of the first generation of national football team players in Afghanistan. We established the Tawana organization in 2015 with a committed youth team intending to develop social, cultural, and sports activities.

In July 2017, I was recognized for bravery in the face of hardship with the Courageous Use of Sport Award by Beyond Sports, a London-based organization. They admitted me for using sport to resolve complex societal issues like gender equality in conflict zones. 

The Taliban took control of the country almost eight months ago after a 20-year struggle against the former government in Afghanistan. The Taliban has once again committed human rights violations and retaliation against women, who are denied access to school and sports, and any individuals who have supported and encouraged sports in Afghanistan. The de-facto administration has not indicated when or how it will include women in sporting activities. Many female athletes are left feeling insecure and abandoned by the global community.

Since August 15th, only some Afghan athletes have been evacuated, but many female football players have been left behind. I have been working with a small team and working with various governments to grant them safe passage to a settlement country. Afghan female football players and other athletes are traumatized and depressed as the country collapses around them and their future and dreams disappear.

When the Taliban began conducting door-to-door searches, many hid their jerseys, sporting documents, and other items in the ground to protect themselves and conceal their identity. Tawana organization works alongside other organizations to support 48 female athletes from the most deprived backgrounds and has established a fund to evacuate and resettle them to the third country.

We're raising $500,000 to provide emergency safe-houses in Afghanistan, food & supplies, phone credit, and visa & evacuation transport costs for targeted Afghan female athletes and their families in the third country until they fly to the country already accepted them. We need to keep funding the work, safeguarding the athletes, and not leaving them behind.

For more information, please contact:

Hajar Abulfazl 

Founder of Tawana Organization, registered non-profit in the state of Hawaii, U.S.A

Your donations to Tawana Organization are tax-deductible as charitable contributions for US federal income tax purposes.