Dylan Bettencourt
Nadia Nadim, a pro footballer in America, fled Afghanistan as a teenager after the Taliban executed her father.
She told the media this week that she does not believe a word of the group’s promises to uphold women’s rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has told international media that all women would have the right to work and receive an education under their rule, but Nadim says she cannot believe them after their previous spell in power.
“We left the country because of their core values and I don’t think they have changed in any way,” Nadim said.
“It’s been heartbreaking to watch what’s happening in Afghanistan now because I thought history would not repeat itself.”
Nadim, who is now 33-years-old, grew up in the city of Herat, the third-largest city in Afghanistan. Tragedy struck their family when she was just 11-years-old when her father was murdered.
Nadim now plays football for Racing Louisville, a career she made for herself after she fled Afghanistan with her mother. Her mother escaped with Nadim and her four sisters through Pakistan and into Denmark.
“My memories are divided into two parts. I have very fond memories of the country, of our life, and the safe environment before the war when I had my mum and dad. And then I have the second part, which is the war and after my dad was killed,” Nadim said.
Nadim has been an inspiration for all female athletes from Afghanistan over the span of her career but struggled to find the words on what the future holds for females in Afghanistan.
“I don’t know what to say to them because I know what opportunities they are going to have. I don’t know whether girls will be able to go to school or to work,” she said.
“I want to say that people should try to keep their hopes up even though it really looks like a dark situation.”
Image source: @TheLocalEurope
