Temba Bavuma supports SACA’s advocacy for women’s rights in Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma supports SACA advocacy for women’s rights in Afghanistan (Photo Source: Twitter)

Temba Bavuma echoed the South African Cricketers’ Association’s (SACA) stand to put an end to gender-based discrimination, which excludes women in Afghanistan from playing sports and in other areas of public life.

The Proteas are set to embark on a trip to the UAE to face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series next week. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides in a bilateral series. Ahead of the tour, Bavuma said that South Africans, whose own system of segregation concluded three decades ago, are in a position from where they can relate to those who are suffering human rights abuses. Thus, the right-handed batter reiterated the call for women’s rights to be valued.

“I look at it in my personal capacity. It’s obviously something that is quite strong within my own values. I support the idea of inclusivity and caring for women. 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. I’m fully behind the sentiments that are expressed by SACA,” Bavuma was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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Last week, SACA issued a statement which both recognized Cricket South Africa (CSA)’s right to seek out fixtures – such as these against Afghanistan – and also asked CSA to “utilise the leverage available to it through this series to highlight that these rights for Afghanistan’s women’s players must be protected and respected.”

In my own personal capacity, I definitely support the stance: Bavuma

While CSA has not formally revealed their plans to make any statements or gestures in support of Afghan women, they continue to discuss the topic of women’s cricket in Afghanistan through the International Cricket Council (ICC). South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter said on Monday, September 16, that he has no role in deciding whether to go on to face Afghanistan. Both he and Bavuma have decided to leave the call to CSA.

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“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. In my own personal capacity, I definitely support the stance and the sentiments expressed by SACA. And I can understand where Rob as well is coming from in that we are selected to do a job in the cricketing field. And I think a lot of our energy will generally be dedicated to that at least,” Bavuma stated.