This article explains why I can’t be arsed about using wrong pronouns

[viques]

Because some people think tourism and bloody cricket matches are more important than recognising discrimination against half the worlds population. Real oppression, real sexism, real misogyny, real pain, real fear, real threat to life.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/05/visit-afghanistan-land-of-culture-cricket-and-women-closeted-in-their-own-homes

'...visitor numbers to Afghanistan having soared since 2021, the torture of the female half of the population has yet to come near race apartheid as a tourism inhibitor, such that vacationers show awareness their leisure choice might be considered despicable. On the contrary, the Taliban are often presented in some itineraries and comments in an attractive light, for having made Afghanistan safe. Unless, of course, you are an Afghan woman. UN officials have reported a “sharp increase” in women’s attempted suicides, directly attributed to female despair in the face of Taliban repression'.

https://rukhshana.com/en/

'Rukhshana Media was created to give voice, dignity and support to the amazing women of Afghanistan, who, despite living under the Taliban, are determined not to be silenced by the most oppressive regime to women in the world.
In a society that increasingly denies women’s basic rights, such as the freedom to choose their clothes, study, work and now even speak outside the house, Rukhshana’s extraordinary team of women journalists and contributors work in secret, under the constant threat of harm and death, to report on and investigate issues related to the lives of Afghan women today'

Extraordinarily well written. Therefore searing. Therefore even more gobsmacking that so many Westerners don't care. (Not because it's "as bad" as the South African apartheid we all were exercised about. It's so much worse it needs a different name.)

Mind blowing. Shows how little regard people have for women's rights.

I saw a Facebook post recently from a company promoting tourism in Afghanistan. Some women commented asking what it was like for women tourists, and the company said it was perfectly safe. There were then numerous responses from women saying, "Oh great, I'd love to book." I don't know how any woman (or man, come to that) could visit such a place for fun.

Thankyou @ArabellaScott for those additional articles.

Proud to say that Australia remain the only country opposed to playing Afghanistan (in a bilateral series) due to the human rights of women and girls. The two countries do have a match in late February as part of the ICC Champions Trophy, but not a series.

Bloody hell. You can book a woman only tour to give you a chance to witness Afghan life through the eyes of a woman.

Oppression tourism. Perhaps you even get to cos play in a burkha.

Ugh. I bet a lot of men will love to do this.