Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
At its heart, the ACB’s neglect of women’s cricket signifies a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights, effectively erasing Afghan women’s cricket from the public sphere and perpetuating a climate of fear and intimidation. For this reason, I contend that the ACB should face sanctions until they uphold basic women’s rights, including the right to girls’ education, in Afghanistan.
The way the media covers sports has often lacked the ability to frame such issues critically and meaningfully — a gap that sports communities and organisations could effectively fill by linking the celebration of sporting success with a strong stance on human rights and gender equality.
This issue is further exacerbated by the global sports community, including developed nations, which habitually prioritise measurable outcomes and entertainment value over ethical considerations and social justice. For example, in 2023 the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket found that racism, class-based discrimination, elitism, and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted.Many sports organisations and fans celebrate victories while avoiding meaningful conversations about inclusion and social justice.
How sports can advance human rights
While I have enjoyed watching the success of the Afghan cricket team in the Twenty20 World Cup, I’ve also found myself questioning whether my enjoyment inadvertently masks the harsh realities faced by Afghan women and girls, whose opportunities have been stifled by the Taliban’s ongoing gender apartheid. As I cheer for the team, I’m reminded that I have a responsibility to not just celebrate their successes but also to advocate for justice and equality beyond the cricket field.
The Afghan cricket team occupies a unique position of influence and can play a pivotal role in advocating for human rights and gender equality in Afghanistan. There is an urgent need for standards within international cricket’s code of conduct that uphold human rights and dignity for all people. The ICC and related organisations must insist, with a unified voice, that the global movement for solidarity with Afghan women is driven by a diverse coalition of pro-human rights and pro-justice states and members.
Our commitment to transforming sports stems from the recognition that all communities and individuals — regardless of race, gender, colour, or religion — should be permitted to participate in sporting activities. These intersecting global justice movements will ultimately lead to positive change in Afghanistan and beyond.
Yaseen Ayobi is a lecturer at the Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. His research focuses on the dignity of displaced people and humanitarian topics in Afghanistan, Somalia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Yemen.
Posted 33m ago33 minutes agoFri 28 Jun 2024 at 7:06am, updated 14m ago14 minutes agoFri 28 Jun 2024 at 7:26am
Source link : https://www.abc.net.au/religion/afghanistan-men-cricket-t20-success-to-help-afghan-women/104037784
Author :
Publish date : 2024-06-28 03:06:49
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
