The Human Rights Watch has recently made a significant call to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the plight of Afghan women cricketers amidst the Taliban regime’s crackdown on women’s rights. The call to action urges the ICC to support Afghan women cricketers and suspend Afghanistan from cricket in response to the alarming erosion of women’s rights in the country.
A letter from the Human Rights Watch addressed to ICC chair Jay Shah highlights the urgent need for intervention to safeguard the rights of Afghan women cricketers. The letter emphasizes that currently, under the Taliban rule, all women’s sports have been effectively banned, forcing the majority of the women’s cricket team to live in exile, with many finding refuge in Australia.
Championing Equality in Cricket
The situation in Afghanistan directly contradicts the ICC’s own terms of membership, as the men’s team continues to play cricket, including their most recent participation in the ICC Champions Trophy. Minky Worden, the director of global initiatives at HRW, penned the letter to the ICC chair and stressed the importance of engaging with the members of the Afghanistan women’s team to address the exclusion of women from the sport.
Worden’s advocacy for stakeholder consultation underscores the core principles of international human rights, emphasizing the need to involve those affected by the exclusion from sports in decision-making processes. Drawing parallels with the International Olympic Committee’s human rights framework and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Worden sheds light on the ICC’s violation of international standards in supporting women’s rights in sport.
A New Beginning Amidst Adversity
The call for suspension of Afghanistan from cricket marks a significant turning point in the advocacy for gender equality in the sport. The distinction between a boycott and suspension is crucial, with HRW advocating for the enforcement of ICC rules to uphold equality in cricket. Firooza Amiri, an Afghan cricketer living in exile, emphasized that the women cricketers do not support a boycott but rather seek accountability through the suspension of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for violating ICC rules.
According to Worden, a boycott would be akin to a Cold War strategy and would not address the core issue of gender discrimination perpetuated by the ACB. By calling for a suspension, HRW aims to hold the ACB accountable for its discriminatory practices, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights principles in sport.
In light of the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, where cricket will be featured, the urgency of addressing gender discrimination in cricket becomes even more pronounced. The ICC’s response to HRW’s call to action remains to be seen, as the spotlight shines on the need to support Afghan women cricketers in their fight for equality.
As the dialogue between human rights organizations, cricket governing bodies, and advocacy groups continues, the fate of Afghan women cricketers hangs in the balance. The power of sport to transcend borders and unite communities underscores the importance of standing up for the rights of all athletes, regardless of gender or nationality. The ball is now in the ICC’s court to champion equality and fair play in the world of cricket.
