Paris, France, July 27, 2024: IOC Member Samira Asghari of Afghanistan has used the platform of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony to call on the international community to help the plight of women and girls in her home country.
In a Facebook post, Samira pointed out that the Parade of Nations in 85 boats along the Seine on Friday night highlighted the total gender parity in the number of athletes and competitions at the Olympic Games for the first time in history.
“The Afghanistan delegation was on the world’s biggest stage with an audience of billions,” she wrote.
“It was an emotional moment for the people of my country whilst women and girls have no access to education, sport, healthcare and work.
“We Afghan women not only call on the Taliban de facto authorities but the international community and entire world to help us restore the basic human rights of education and sport for the 21 million Afghan women and girls in my country, Afghanistan.
“This will not only benefit women, but also the health of the entire country. All the very best to all athletes in Paris.”
Afghanistan will be represented by six athletes in Paris – three women and three men. Five of the team live overseas.
