South Africa’s Test and ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, has joined the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) in condemning the gender-based discrimination that prevents women in Afghanistan from participating in sports and other aspects of public life.
Bavuma, who spoke ahead of South Africa’s departure to the UAE for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, emphasized the unique perspective that South Africans have on human rights abuses, given their own history of legalized race-based segregation. He reiterated the call for women’s rights to be respected.
“I support the idea of inclusivity and caring for women,” Bavuma said. “We want everyone to have a fair chance within society, and we know that that is something that is relevant to us as a country in South Africa.”
SACA had previously issued a statement acknowledging Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) right to schedule fixtures against Afghanistan but also urging CSA to use its leverage to advocate for the protection and respect of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
CSA has not yet commented on whether it plans to make any statements or gestures in support of Afghan women but continues to discuss the issue of women’s cricket in Afghanistan through the ICC.
Both white-ball coach Rob Walter and Bavuma have left the decision of whether to engage Afghanistan on the field with CSA.
“I think I’ve got to respect the fact that there are people in positions who have that responsibility to speak more eloquently and articulate a little bit more of it,” Bavuma said.
Australia is the only board that has actively withdrawn from competition against Afghanistan, while the ECB has also indicated it will not schedule series against them. Both Australia and England continue to play Afghanistan at ICC tournaments.
South Africa has never played against Afghanistan outside of a World Cup in either ODIs or T20Is. This bilateral series marks the first time the South African team and CSA have had to consider the ethical implications of playing against Afghanistan, which has not had a women’s team since becoming Full Members in 2017.
Apart from its shared history of legalized discrimination, South Africa also faces an epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV). The country has been ranked as one of the most dangerous for women globally. In response, there have been various initiatives against GBV, including in cricket.
