Guwahati, Feb. 15: She was shunned by her society for not wearing a hijab, the traditional Muslim scarf, which was made compulsory by the Taliban for every girl beyond puberty, and in the 2004 Athens Olympics, she decided to make a statement by donning one.

The Afghan Olympian runner - Robina Jalali - also known as Robina Muqimyar, who represented her country in the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics, still believes women can bring about changes if they want to.

"It is not that we need a revolution, or a change in the government. We just need to strive for the right cause and fight to protect that cause," said Muqimyar, who was the deputy in-charge of Afghanistan's 12th South Asian Games delegation here, told The Telegraph today.

Born and raised in Kabul when the Taliban ruled there, Muqimyar, 29, did not get a shot at formal education till 2001. Though she attended school after 2001 when the Taliban formally withdrew from Afghanistan, she had to face criticism from society.

"Thanks to my liberal father, I was admitted to a school after the Taliban left, but it was not something people appreciated," she said, adding: "When I got into school, I realised how the women in our country are brainwashed. So I decided to make a statement."

Muqimyar is one of the first two women who represented Afghanistan in Olympics in the 100-metre track event.

She gained international attention when she ran on the track wearing a hijab and a T-shirt and long green track pants rather than the more aerodynamic outfits.

"My main aim was not winning. I just wanted to show the girls that there is a world beyond their miseries . And I did not want the ulemas (Muslim scholars) to pollute that dream by criticising me for my attire. So, I wore the most covered outfit possible," she said.

After coming back from the 2008 Olympics, she contested for Wolesi Jirga - the lower House of Afghanistan Parliament - using her family name Jalali, but lost.

"If the women were allowed to vote, I might have won the elections. But that is still a long way down the line. So, I have dedicated myself to promoting sports and wooing as mamy women as possible to sport. Once they come under the protection of the sports authority, they can live a better life," she said.