As is similar to many other cities, Nili city is also one of the conservative areas of Afghanistan that firmly holds onto traditional, cultural, and social beliefs, that limit older girls’ participation in sports.

This issue was raised by youth representatives at the Consultation Council meetings, who sought the assistance of the Community Policing Unit/Police-e-Mardumi (PeM) to allow them to join sports events.

An 11^th-grade female student, (Zuhal Jahesh) learned about the work of the Community Policing Unit through a school safety outreach event. She attended a Consultation Council meeting and asked the PeM to help persuade her family to let her compete in volleyball events. She also mentioned that it’s not only her, but also many other girls who had been secretly playing volleyball and other sports without their family’s permission. She was torn between respecting her family’s wishes, and her desire to play sports with her friends. She explained how she used to wash her sports clothes in private and hide them from her family.

Sports Match facilitated by PeM unit

The PeM Unit and the Consultation Council nominated a group to meet with Zuhal’s family. They spoke at length and eventually, the family did agree that Zuhal could participate in a volleyball tournament organized by the PeM, under the supervision of the Community Policing Unit.

Safety Outreach Session in School

On the day of the tournament as her family was also invited, they saw Zuhal’s joy at playing volleyball and were assured about the safe environment created for the contest by the Community Policing Unit. The family agreed to support her to play in future tournaments. This initiative helped to change traditional mindsets and has opened new opportunities for young women, to participate in sports, with the appreciation of their family members as well.