In a country where women are treated like slaves and families sell their daughters into forced marriages, here's a story of a brave 19-year old girl.Mehboba Ahadyar, who against all odds, has shown the courage to be the only female in the four-member Afghanistan team to 2008 Olympics.
Afghanistan is not a women-friendly country because women are not allowed to pursue their dreams and treated as a submissive force, but Mehboba has continued to face challenges with grit and determination.
The result, she has emerged as one of the fastest women in Afghanistan.
To give you an idea of what challenges she faces, when Mehboba leaves home, the neighborhood boys begin to yell, "Hero, hero, look at the hero of our country!" But the fact is that the boys aren't hailing one of their country's top athletes, their sarcastic remarks are meant to poke fun at a young girl trying to realize her Olympic dreams.
She was quoted in on of the papers as saying, "I feel bad about all these things that happen to me every day, but I'll still march forward. I never show weakness, I'll fight through these challenges." That's what I call sporting spirit, you need that spirit in daily life as well, or else you would be torn to pieces.
This wouldn't have been possible without the support of Mehboba's family. Though sometimes her mother worries about the security situation in the country. Taliban militants often target organizations and individuals who advocate women's issues, and the sarcasm by neighborhood boys could catch the attention of militant suicide bombers.
"We are scared, really scared about the security situation in our country, and of the people who have negative views about my family," her mother, Moha Jan, said. "These problems cannot stop us from supporting our daughter. I admire my daughter. She is a hero and a very good athlete"
A clear example of facing the obstacles in life with a positive attitude. Hope many such Mehbobas emerge from this land where women are treated like second-class citizens.
A fast fact, Afghanistan was suspended from the Olympics in 1999, partly because of the Taliban's ban on the participation of women athletes. Then Afghanistan returned to the Olympic Games at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Resource:
Afghan Woman Runs Toward Olympics Despite Jeers, Potential Danger
Image Source:
Life in pictures of Afghanistan runner Mehboba Ahadyar
8 comments
"In a country where women are treated like slaves and families sell their daughters into forced marriages"...
You're just a sad sod and have no idea what you're talking about.
Hi drifter, you certainly managed to drift my attention with this comment.
"In a country where women are treated like slaves and families sell their daughters into forced marriages"...
Its not a personal opinion, but a fact that 60% to 80% of marriages are forced marriages in Afghanistan.
Or is it what the media wants us to belive? Unless we go there we wont know.
Drifter if you know something that we need to know do tell us, our minds are open!
Peace and Love,
Clyde
Where did you get that statistic? Wikipedia, 60 to 80 percent.
Hi Gangreen,
I foudn that stat on Afghanistan human rights commission website, can send you the link if you want.
Afghanistan is not the same as it was in the past and the women situation is lot more better than the past slavery and forcefully marriages have been finished and my commint is on the autor of this topic which reveals to the world that Afghanistan in what it was during Taliban but it is not most of the families now become Democrate and they are supporting the female rights and freedom and I am prod of our youngter girl which represent Afghanistan so next time with the bad situations please write the bettering of the situation and dont show the face of Afghanistan as a dark and dangerous kind of zone thank you...Ahmad Nadim Mohammady Kabul Afghanistan
Dear Ahmad,
I am really glad to know that the situation has improved in Afghanistan. I would love to do a story on the improving situation, with regards to women rights and families being more democratic in Afghanistan. Please do let me know if you would be willing to share your views on the story, or if we can have an email interview on the same.
My intention wasn't to show the dark side of Afghanistan, but to praise the courage and determination of the athlete, who in spite of the situation, is following her dreams.
Thanks for posting your valuable comment, much appreciated.
Regards
Bhavika
Salam, Ahmad jan you are right, Afghanistan is much better. Bhavika, you need to realize that what the media portrays Afghanistan is not what it truly is, the media wants to sell their stories so don't think that women are treated as slaves and forced into marriages. During the Taliban regime they were being treated cruelly by the Taliban but inside their homes it was s different story. A few decades ago, women would go to school and work outside of the house and they were treated with respect and sincerity. Ever since the soviets, the atmosphere has been getting worse till now hopefully it will keep getting better.
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