Zakia Khudadadi, Afghan Female Athlete, Striving for Gold Medal at Paris 2024 Paralympics

Ms. Khudadadi says she is competing in the name of Afghan women and girls who have gradually been deprived of their social, educational, and political rights over the past three years.

In an interview with the Associated Press, she stated, "It is hard for me because I would love to compete under my country's flag; but life for all girls and women in Afghanistan is banned. Today, I am here in Paris to win a medal for them. I want to show all the women and girls in Afghanistan strength."

According to the Associated Press, this Paralympic taekwondo athlete made history in Tokyo 2021 by becoming the first Afghan female athlete to participate in an international sports event after the Taliban's takeover. She was initially banned from competing when the Taliban regained power but was allowed to compete for her country after leaving Afghanistan and the international community's appeal.

The report states that Khudadadi began practicing taekwondo at the age of 11 and trained secretly in a gym in her hometown of Herat, as there were simply no safe opportunities for women to practice sports in Afghanistan. Despite the restrictive culture around her, she received support and encouragement from her family.

Zakia Khudadadi is set to compete for the Paralympic Refugee Team, while other athletes, such as Olympian runner Kimia Yousofi, have sought medals under the Afghan flag. Kimia Yousofi placed 31st among 36 athletes.

Khudadadi, noting that her disability was also a significant challenge, emphasized that her struggle is not only for herself but for all women and girls in Afghanistan.