Afghan Girls Can Kick

The national Afghan women’s football team endured brutal repression during the Taliban regime, while trying to form a full-fledged football team. Afghan Girls Can Kick zooms in on the individual stories of emancipated players. Despite persistent danger and the lack of training opportunities, fields or competing teams, they remain optimistic. They are over the moon when they are invited to a tournament in Pakistan.

When Afghanistan was under the rule of the Taliban, women’s rights were almost non-existent. New opportunities have arisen since strict Muslims are no longer in power, like playing football! Afghan Girls Can Kick follows the players of the first Afghan women’s team as they preparefor their first international match in Islamabad. These women grew up under the repressive Taliban regime. Their lives are still at risk every day. Until now, the women’s team has only played against a team of women NATO soldiers, who are no competition for the Afghan ladies. The Afghan team members play in long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and headscarves when being filmed. Parents often disapprove of their daughters’ chosen sport. For the players, however, football offers an escape from the daily misery in Afghanistan.

Afgan Girls Can Kick is preceded by The Final Match, an endearing short on Iranian girls and football.