Afghanistan female boxer must fight in and out of the ring

Even before the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, female boxers were rare and viewed with skepticism by broad sections of the country's society. However, this has not prevented some young women from pursuing the sport. Among those who defied such societal expectations is Sadia Bromand. As a girl, she would ride her bike to school and play sports after her classes were over. After finishing school, she worked as a journalist for a women-run television station.

"The biggest challenge for a woman in Afghanistan is simply being a woman," Bromand told DW in a recent interview. "And when you decide to pursue your dreams, a big and long fight begins."

The 29-year-old, who, even as a small child, dreamed of becoming a successful athlete and representing her country internationally, has certainly embraced this fight.

"When I started playing sports at school, my father had no objections; he even encouraged me," she said.

"But when I was selected for the national team and was asked to travel abroad for competitions while I was still a minor, my father didn't agree."

Notoriety a cause for concern

In the end though, the young athlete managed to convince her family to let her do so anyway.

As her fame grew in Afghanistan, so did her family's concerns. Bromand became a role model for many women in her country, repeatedly denouncing injustices and rebelling against the prevailing social norms there. Women like her have been a thorn in the side of the Taliban movement, whose government had been overthrown in a US-led invasion in 2001 but still managed to wield some power during an insurgency that would last two decades.

"(The Taliban) have always been against women's participation in sports. They have always been against women's progress," Bromand said.

"That's why my family warned me not to talk about these topics. They were afraid they could harm me."

'Gender apartheid' 

Fearing for her life, in 2019 Bromand left Afghanistan to pursue her dreams in Europe. For a long time, she dreamed of returning home. But since the United States and its allies withdrew from the country four years ago, everything has changed – with the Taliban again enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Women have been barred from gyms and parks since November 2022, officially to prevent them from breaking dress code laws.

"The Taliban don't like it when women make progress in any aspect of life," Bromand said.

"It's difficult for them, but I always say, 'No! I will fight for my country and the girls.'"

The United Nations describes the current situation for women in Afghanistan as "gender apartheid."

Going it alone

Now she is pursuing her boxing career in Berlin and is proud to be able to represent Afghanistan in international competitions.

"When I boxed for the Afghan national team, we had our own team," she said. "Now, when I compete, I always go alone. There's no team behind me, not even a coach."

Despite the many obstacles she has faced, Bromand's perseverance has brought her success, including when she won the silver medal at the "Olympic Dreamer Tournament" in Sarajevo two years ago.

A few weeks later, she became the only Afghan boxer to compete at the IBA Women's World Championship in New Delhi, India.

Sadia Bromand won silver at the Olympic Dreamer Tournament in SarajevoImage: privat

Afghan women are 'fighters'

"I participate in many competitions and prove to the world that Afghan girls have the talent to compete in international competitions and win medals for their country," Bromand said.

"They are fighters, and if you give them a chance, they can succeed in any field, not just sports," she added.

"This situation won't last forever. The Taliban will fall again. I hope that one day Afghanistan will be peaceful again and that girls can study, play sports, and excel in any field they choose. Just like in other countries where women have the right to education, sports, and everything else."

This article was originally published in German.