In Afghanistan where women’s participation in sports was often considered taboo, Shafiqa Rezai carved her own path, embracing skateboarding as both a personal passion and a powerful tool for social change. Now living as a refugee in Canada, she continues to advocate for the rights of Afghan women and raise awareness about their struggles.
Rezai, born in Bamyan and raised in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, was introduced to Skateistan, a nonprofit organization designed to encourage children, especially girls, to get involved in physical activities. When she joined at age 12, skateboarding was still an uncommon activity in Afghanistan, and the idea of girls participating was even rarer.
“I was one of the few girls who wanted to learn skateboarding,” Rezai said. “Many girls wanted to join, but their families didn’t let them because they thought it was wrong for girls to do sports.”
For Rezai, skateboarding became an escape from the struggles women in Afghanistan faced. As she skated, she found a sense of happiness and peace. Despite the cultural barriers, Rezai’s determination paid off. After just a year of practice, she not only became proficient in skateboarding but also took on the role of a volunteer at Skateistan. There, she taught students aged 7 to 26, sharing her passion for skateboarding while empowering others through the freedom and confidence it gave her. It was during this time that Rezai also began playing football, expanding her involvement in sports.
Rezai’s passion extended beyond just learning and teaching skateboarding; she became a dedicated advocate for physical activity among Afghan girls, working to change societal views on women in sports. She often spoke directly to families, persuading them to let their daughters join Skateistan. For Rezai, it wasn’t just about skateboarding—it was about challenging the belief that sports were only for boys. She reassured parents, telling them that their daughters would learn a valuable skill that was good for their health and well-being. Her efforts inspired many girls to take up skateboarding, challenging societal barriers and paving the way for future generations.
“I wanted to make a difference, normalize sports for girls, and show that they deserve the same opportunities as boys,” Rezai said.
As Afghanistan's political climate grew more unstable and the Taliban’s rise to power loomed, Skateistan and other organizations supporting girls’ sports faced increasing threats. Eventually, the schools had to shut down, and Rezai was forced to leave Afghanistan in 2021. She fled to Pakistan before finally resettling in Canada. For Rezai, fleeing Afghanistan was the hardest thing she ever had to do.
“Talking about fleeing Afghanistan feels like reopening an old wound—each time I mention it, the pain resurfaces as if it just happened,” Rezai said. I miss my family, friends, and the students I worked with. I never thought I’d have to leave them behind.”
Now in Canada, Rezai has found a new home and a renewed purpose. Supported by organizations like Right to Skate, Skateistan, and the Thirty Birds Foundation, she coaches young children in skateboarding, continuing the mission she began in Afghanistan. Alongside coaching, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a commercial pilot—another field where women’s participation is rare in Afghanistan. When she's not teaching or studying, she channels her creativity into painting.
Rezai uses skateboarding to raise awareness about the basic rights denied to Afghan women, including education, sports, and work. She wants the world to remember Afghan girls, who are denied these freedoms and many others.
Looking to the future, Rezai dreams of returning to Afghanistan when it’s safe, to create an organization that offers a space for everyone to learn skateboarding and engage in physical activities. She also envisions returning as a powerful female pilot, showing Afghan women that gender has no limits and that they, too, can pursue careers in fields where they have been traditionally excluded.
“If we give Afghan girls the chance to dream, they will break barriers and change the world,” Rezai said.
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