Afghan Women’s Sports Archive

A cultural and historical project to create a complete, multimedia, physical and digital archive of Afghan women’s sporting history.

less than 1% of global recorded history is about women.

Under the first Taliban regime, photographs, books, and records were systematically destroyed, erasing documented history, and especially women’s stories. Yet Afghan women defied cultural norms and gender barriers, making their mark in sports across the country.

This archive preserves their legacy through multimedia storytelling and oral histories in 20 women’s sports.

These stories offer more than inspiration. They protect a fuller, truer account of Afghan women’s lives dating back to the 1950s. They show future generations what’s possible, and why it matters.

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The Sports

  • Cycling

  • Skateboarding

  • Skiing and Snowboarding

  • Mountaineering

  • Football

  • Para-Athletics

  • Judo

  • Cricket

  • Basketball

  • Running

  • Taekwondo

  • Swimming

  • Boxing

  • Handball

    Coming soon

  • Tennis

    Coming Soon

  • Rugby

    Coming Soon

  • BMX

    Coming Soon

Learn More

Imagine an archive where every woman’s story is collected, bound, and presented aS an individual book.

The archive records oral histories from the cyclists and witness statements from the those who supported them or documented their journey. We are building a physical archive of the extensive film, photography, media, and audio interviews and working to track down as many artifacts as possible to preserve for future generations. Much has been lost in the return of the Taliban, but that is part of the research and recovery process.

If every life is its own universe, then the least that we can do as an archive is recognize the individuality of each woman beyond the sport. The archive is envisioned as a living, breathing physical space as unique as the women themselves. It will be a place to hold history for future generations and to hold space for continued research and storytelling in the present.

The Archive Team

  • Shannon Galpin

    Archive Production and Founder of Combat Apathy

  • Tahera Shayangan

    Cycling Archive Lead and Oral History Lead

  • Hajar Abulfazl

    Football Archive Lead and NonProfit Sponsor, Tawana Organization

  • Dr. Nida Ahmed

    Director of Research

  • Friba Rezayee

    Judo Archive Lead

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