March 11, 2025: The Vice President of the Afghanistan Olympic Committee, Robina Jalali, has paid tribute to the women of her home country on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Mrs. Jalali, who received special recognition from the IOC and Paris 2024 organising committee for contributing to the success of the Olympic Games last summer, spoke of her “resilient sisters” in a passionate social media post.
“In the name of woman, in the name of freedom,” she began her post.
“March 8th, International Women's Day, is a day when the world should hear the voice of women, especially the voices of Afghan women who have kept the candle of hope and resistance burning in the darkness of isolation and oppression.
“The women of our land have stood against the chains of exclusion. They have not silenced their voices, and, with every step they take, they are breaking down the walls of oppression; those who have been deprived of the right to education, sports and all human freedoms, but have never given up the dream of freedom and justice.”
Mrs. Jalali, who represented Afghanistan in the 100m sprint at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, added: “Today, the 8th of March, is not just a day in the calendar but a reminder of the resilience of women who make history; women who, through hardships, forge a way for a brighter tomorrow.
“To my resilient sisters! Know that darkness is not permanent. There will be a morning when Afghanistan's girls will proudly go to school, university, work and sports.”
She said that women everywhere in the country would one day contribute shoulder to shoulder with men in building the future of Afghanistan – “and no other power will be able to deny you your rights.”
She concluded: “Today we stand, tomorrow we win. This land is home of the free women. Wishing for a free and prosperous Afghanistan!”