"F**k off" - Martina Navratilova furious over 'pedophilia and rape' being compared to gay marriage in light of alarming child marriage in Afghanistan

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova recently took a powerful stand against a troubling attempt to equate pedophilia and rape with homosexuality. Navratilova's response came amid her emotional outcry over the harrowing plight of Afghan girls forced into child marriages.

Known for her outspoken advocacy on human rights and equality, Navratilova was recently moved to action after encountering a devastating CNN video report from 2021 that resurfaced online showcasing a nine-year-old Afghan girl, Parwana, being sold into marriage with a 55-year-old man.

This horrifying incident, symptomatic of Afghanistan's deepening humanitarian crisis, reflects the oppressive environment under the Taliban's rule since their resurgence in 2021.

The Taliban’s return has led to an alarming rollback of women’s rights, including banning girls from attending schools beyond sixth grade and severely limiting opportunities for education and employment. For many Afghan families, such restrictions have left them in dire economic straits, pushing them to make heartbreaking choices for survival.

The video Navratilova shared sheds light on Parwana’s desperate circumstances. Her family, living in a camp for displaced persons, had endured years of hardship after her father lost his job. Struggling to survive on meager earnings, her father saw no alternative but to sell Parwana for 200,000 Afghanis (approximately $2,200).

In a post on December 7, 2024, Navratilova condemned the harrowing reality with unfiltered indignation. She captioned the video on X (formerly Twitter):

"Monsters, all of them who allow this."

Navratilova’s post drew a disturbing comment suggesting that forced child marriages were part of a cultural or religious practice comparable to same-sex unions. The comment read:

"You're sounding rather judgmental, aren't you? When Gays decided they wanted to redefine marriage, you all demanded to be understood and embraced. This is their religion much as your Homosexuality is. Sometimes limits and definitions are important."

The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion delivered a searing retort that highlighted the false equivalence and moral failure of the comment:

"F**k off. Comparing pedophilia and rape to two consenting adults who make a commitment to each other—you’re the sick one here."

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Martina Navratilova criticizes Taliban’s ban on Afghan women pursuing medical education

Martina Navratilova during the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards press conference (Image source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova strongly denounced the Taliban's latest restriction barring Afghan women from pursuing medical education, labeling their actions as "evil."

The ban, announced earlier this week by Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada through Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, prohibits women from enrolling in medical schools.

On December 3, 2024, Navratilova posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing female students being denied entry to a medical school by Taliban officials.

"The Taliban are evil. All men. All Evil," Navratilova wrote.

In June 2024, Martina Navratilova took aim at the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing its male-dominated leadership of discrimination against Afghanistan's women’s cricket team, claiming they prioritize male athletes while neglecting female players.