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KABUL (SW) – Last week, The Guardian published a report about a number of women from the Afghan national football team been sexually abused by the managers and chairman of the Afghanistan Football Federation.
After the release of this report, the AFF was subjected to harsh criticism, and many called for a serious investigations of this issue. After increasing criticism, the federation rejected the allegations by holding a news conference in Kabul, saying that allegations were filed by some former players who were not invited to the training camp.
This is not the first time sexual abuse by officials has been revealed. A while ago, a film of sexual abuse was leaked to the social media about Gholam Rasoul, a top surgeon at the Afghan Air Force. Later, another one emerged about a deputy minister engaged in a similar act.
The Guardian's report on sexual abuse of women footballers comes at a time when 16-day Counter-Violence Against Women campaign was underway.
A number of women, who defended women's rights every year from November 25 to December 5, this year launched the campaign of ‘Mee too’, after The Guardian report.
Samira Sadat, co-organizer of the campaign, said that more than 150 ladies participated in the campaign and that a number of gentlemen had also supported them. He said the launch of such campaigns would make people more cohesive against violence.
She said that in the past few years, they have organized exhibitions of painting, photography, and documentary on Afghan women's lives, and this year they will collect the experiences of women who have been physically abused. According to her, violence against women cannot be justified, and this should be the beginning of the a movement to fight against violence against women.
Najiba Noori, another participant of the campaign, said the launch of such campaigns has enabled women to dare to share their experiences of sexual harassment. Najiba added that there are many men who support this campaign, acknowledge and rebuked violence against women.
According to some of these women, in societies like Afghanistan, which has seen violent and oppressive regimes such as the Taliban, the presence of women in various fields and working in high positions can cause reactions.
Mahsa Qurbani, a women's rights activist, said that silence against violence against women further aggravates the situation, and such campaigns will make women raise their voices.
On the other hand, a number of gentlemen have joined the campaign, and believe that sexual violence can occur not only against women, but also against men.
Javad Zawalestani, one of the male participants, said sexual violence may occur against men and women, and this should not be linked to a specific gender. Kazem Ehsan, another male participant, said that to reduce violence against women, there should be a platform for sharing experiences among women. He added that sexual violence exists among men, and that this issue should be addressed among men as well.
The Wolesi Jirga (lower house of the parliament) has also criticized the scandal related to women footballers, and has stressed such shameful acts should not be overlooked.
A majority of those involved in the campaign believe that women's economic and intellectual independence can prevent violence against them. The 16-day Counter-Violence against Women campaign will conclude on Wednesday with the motto of "Hear Me."
ENDS
