Kimia Yousofi

A Hero for Afghan Women Everywhere

Kimia Yousufi holds up her handwritten sign at the Paris Olympics (Alina Smutko, Reuters)

This week’s article is about Kimia Yousofi, a young female sprinter who was one of the runners at the international Olympics this year.

When I first saw her picture on the International Olympic Committee, I was filled with pride that a lady from our country was participating in the international Olympics. We are a country that has suffered a lot, a country where its women are enslaved and their wishes are denied. Watching her, I felt immense pride for our country.  

I marveled at how powerful she was. Her eyes were hungry for success, though it was obvious that she didn’t run for gold or medals. Instead, she ran for her country, for the women who are deprived of sports, for all those injustices, especially the pain of Afghan women. For Aghan women, Kimia Yousofi is not only an athlete but a sign of power and resistance. 

At the end of the race, I saw her picture holding her handwritten paper, which read,” Education, sport our rights.”

My heart filled with sadness when I saw that sign.

It’s sad that an athlete’s mind is focused on her country’s problems. It is disappointing for me that other countries support and encourage their athletes while our athletes are asking for their rights from the government. 

Imagine how sad it is to run in a race for your country when your country’s government forbids you to even run in the race, let alone hold a sign. It must’ve been hard knowing that you could not bring your medal home, even if you were to win it. 

One day, Afghan women, not only Kimia, will stand firm and demand their rights. One day, we will get what we deserve. We will take everything back from which the Taliban stole from us. 

Kimia, myself, Afghan women, and their supporters will break this cage of ignorance and injustice!

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Helai Khurshid is an Afghan girl