Dare to Educate Afghan Girls | Shabana Basij-Rasikh | TED Talks

Imagine a country where girls must sneak out to go to school, with deadly consequences if they get caught learning. This was Afghanistan under the Taliban, and traces of that danger remain today. 22-year-old Shabana Basij-Rasikh runs a school for girls in Afghanistan. She celebrates the power of a family's decision to believe in their daughters -- and tells the story of one brave father who stood up to local threats. (Filmed at TEDxWomen)
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[@karenh2519]

"A father who recognizes the value of a daughter..." I love that.

[@mansourghoury6706]

I remember at that time I was 9 years old, and my sister 8 years old, I was able to go to school but she wasn't, she would cry and wanted to go too but she couldn't because Taliban didn't allow girls to go to school, after they left she started going to school too, now she is doing her master degree and is the top of her class.

[@sumeetgupta2364]

Breaks my heart to watch this in Aug 2021. Hope you are safe and your initiative to educate girls in Afghanistan goes on.

[@marcusdanizel9816]

we and my.india stands with Afghanistan full fledged in all ways we develop AFGHANISTAN and make it powerful AFGHANISTAN god bless AFGHANISTAN always we are with Afghanistani.sister 🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫🇮🇳🇦🇫

[@buddyrichrocks]

more people need to see this. there are people risking their lives to get an education. listen to the way she is speaking, her demeanour, her youth, the words she is saying and the heart behind it all....truly inspirational. Education, education, education!

[@dreamer2260]

Tragic to see what is happening now in Afghanistan. I hope this woman and all those like her will be safe, and I dearly hope that the progress she talks about so powerfully is not lost. The US withdrawal has been a disaster.

[@lindawisebear]

Her story was incredibly captivating. This really touched my heart.

[@FizzingWhizzbees1]

She's so inspirational.

[@donedacallis4823]

Her eyes tell it all. It is absolutely spectacular to listen to her story, and to feel what she feels as she speaks. She's phenomenal. Thank you for sharing.

[@faizmuhammadazad8824]

This is the most inspiring thing I saw today. :) I salute to all the fathers and brothers out there in Afgan who advocates for girls education.

[@NicoleGeanoulis]

This was powerful. I am at a loss for words. Sometimes it takes just a few minutes of our time to sit down and see / hear what goes on in other counrties to feel greatful for the things we have, to the littlest thing like going to school..

[@cschukka]

So true reading The kite runner almost broke me to tears.

[@simplyem.]

chandra sekhar Chukka that book did break me into tears

[@hajeagha2561]

think you for your great support toward her

[@arnoldklett-bader828]

The United States killed so many people--men, women, and kids--in Afghanistan that it is hard to imagine. So let's not get weepy weep about this girl.

[@Penguinyyy]

Her English is spotless, that's amazing !!!

[@parniak-we1xp]

She study in usa

[@sayedhussaini5669]

Masha'allah Your amazing my sister, Proud of you as an Afghan man

[@HappyKumar-uy3qj]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DUk3WYhtJ5nas this video will change your mind about democracy and ruling goverment ......pls like and share this video.

[@aarongrooves]

I agree with you totally. School education is only one term of the equation. Also, I have become more compassionate as I've learned more through internet research, watching documentaries, reading books, and listening to others; so I can use myself as an example.

[@katemccallum2026]

What a great father! And such a strong, young woman. Thank you for being such a lovely role model for women everywhere!

[@mursalnedaee2314]

Year 2022 and we’re here living in Afghanistan with totally the same situation… 💔

[@2g1gg]

I got goosebumps watching this video. It's inspiring stuff, seeing how people struggle and perservere to get an education even when facing danger and even death. Makes me regret every single time I complained about schoolwork lol

[@pankrolik1986]

This is more than superheros from comic books do. It's amazing and it's for real. I admire you girls. People like you make me doubt what I've been believing for a while.. You prove that we can fight against it, no matter what we can fight and we can beat it!

[@thatsrathore]

You are really brave ..Keep up the good work.we really need educated girl in society bcoz they will become wife and good mother..A good mother can nourish their children in a good way

[@aarongrooves]

"Humans have had safe stable societies for thousands of years..." Actually, humans have never had a safe, stable society. If you haven't noticed, our "stable" societies are constantly at war, in debt, and destroying our own planet for the short-sighted goal of monetary gain. W are extremely primitive as a species. However, each of us has the potential to be more, and this is why I haven't lost hope. Education is the only path to that potential.

[@ShobyCHS267]

Totally put a smile on my face today!

[@baderalqdeer723]

this is so touching

[@3DmeCreativeStudio]

Education for all! Many thanks for sharing.

[@AllianceNoob]

Much respect for her hard work!

[@lancelottodd]

I'd also like to say how refreshing it is to have a conversation (on KZbin, no less) without rancor and name calling and all the rest of it. Even though we don't agree on everything, I'm digging this pleasant exchange of ideas. Thank you.

[@WahidM88]

Proud of you, khanum Shabana for your hard work and dedication to the girls of Afghanistan. You’re without doubt a role model to the rest of women across Afghanistan and beyond. Keep it up

[@musarratshaheen9101]

Salute to u nd ur father for being desirous to continue and get quality education by eliminating ignorance... God bless keep rocking

[@victoriae5763]

A very emotional and motivational speech. Thank you for being an advocate and feminist for all the Afghan females

[@Hamidrasheed77]

It was great, even made me cry. she related a truth which hope don't repeat again.

[@mohammadhashim896]

This Enlightens the hope in us and in US again.

[@srimansrini]

A wonderful talk. What Afghan need today is nothing but Education. I think what she is doing is commendable. I do understand School is not everything..But certainly it is the first step towards to right thing. Bravo

[@mustakimkhan-lf2vw]

Yes

[@tuckert3ig]

Great Herstory. Motivating and true to the knowledge that those without appreciate more what they dont have

[@livelaughpeacenlove]

this woman is so inspiring, well done to her and her whole family

[@berfinkaradaban9055]

Dünyada bu kadar zorluk çekip bu kadar güzel insan olmayı basarabilmis insanları görmek geleceğe dair umutlarımı güçlendiriyor 😊

[@bethhaines6340]

Youre so brave and gutsy and so courageous shabana god bless you so much youre a legend

[@philoposos]

I second that : You go girl!

[@jamesdragonforce]

Well said!

[@suksinlavigne7543]

I have many afghanistan friends in Indonesia as refugese. we ever studied english together but woman who participated only a few. most of them are man. n those man had that kind of dream for their woman by seeing Indonesian woman who are free to go to school,riding motorcycle or driving a car. I hope Afghanistan woman have a clearly bright dream as you. also their fathers should be inspired by ur father. keep fighting and never give up. may Allah always gives us His Mercy. aamin. salaam from Indonesia

[@akramtaran7277]

nice we the Pushtoon are proud having an educated sister and daughter like you...you are the future of our nation..

[@rafidar6635]

very inspiring, and grand respect for people for courage and commitment..

[@sureshchandverma7]

शक्तिशाली महिलाओं है this is woman powerful

[@vishnupriyabakthisaran8518]

I hope that these initiatives continue in Afghanistan. Raising a educated generation of men and women in Afghanistan is very vital to restore it back to their original glory. It would boost the economy, encourage creativity and entrepreneurship and improve their lifestyles.

[@rafiaali540]

Masha Allah. You made us all proud. May Allah (swt) protect you and help you at every step. I hope everyone has daughters like you.

[@TheDoubleBee]

Is it just me or is TEDxWomen getting much better? Last couple of talks were amazing. Not some quasi feminism but real issues concerning gender.

[@TheDonMan97]

Wow... Wonderful!

[@marwanaser5452]

AMAZING.

[@Khaielaash94]

1. This was extremely inspiring! 2. She is so pretty!

[@madinabetanai4567]

I am proud of you my hard worker afghan girls 👌💪😎

[@tarbecker]

Yep, school can't solve all the problems. But it is a very big step to form consciousness and to make room for countless opportunities. These girls are doing their part to build a better living society. Among all problems and sadness of the reality, initiatives like this make the world each day more beautiful.

[@mdrizwan197]

hatts off!!! keep goin...

[@mikejang]

powerful stuff.

[@maiwandsabah8414]

Proud of you young lady we need more smart and educated woman’s in our country 🇦🇫❤️

[@paigelieberman3453]

You should be ashamed of yourself. This woman has risked her life since childhood to fight for her education, and you're spamming the comments? REALLY. Wow.

[@berfinkaradaban9055]

Bize nefes alacak bir alan bırakılmıyorsa onu kendimiz yaratabiliriz. Bu hayat bizim onu yönetmekte bizim elimizde ☺

[@salahhe]

Keep up the fight, keep talking, never let them silence you and bury you under rags and ignorance. Great job!

[@jamesdragonforce]

With respect to different learning needs. That goes for you too teachers unions.

[@kkhatibi54]

Beautiful story God bless you and your family Ameen ya Rab ulalameen

[@digiconvalley]

Respect!

[@123kkambiz]

I loved the message, one of the best TED's video messages.

[@vinodkale7045]

I salute to you, to Your Father and courage.God bless you

[@brendantan4362]

Totally agree. Students who have had nothing much in their life truly value education and what it can bring to them in future as compared to students who are materialistic and take schooling and education for granted. Good point made indeed

[@akhilsikri]

Well, I believe that school education can't solve all the problems and is definitely not the only path for success. It's more about awareness, making human minds to think from multiple perspectives, compasssion, and understanding those emotions which make humans a superior race.

[@Fatima-xm7kp]

My role model.

[@mmedefarge]

Long-suffering people often have a quiet strength about them. I once met a man, 26 y/o at the time, who had lived through a right-wing coup in Central America (possibly El Salvador, I'm not sure). As a young, teenage boy, he'd seen his parents murdered in front of him, his sister raped & murdered in prison. He was kept in prison & tortured. He managed to escape & make his way to the U.S. thru the help of friends. Despite what he'd been thru, he still looked like a boy of 16, quiet-spoken.

[@lilimarlene7813]

So refreshing to hear from someone who appreciates education-- very different from the whiny, spoiled students who complain that professors aren't ' interesting' enough and don't do enough to 'motivate' them. I bet she didn't sit in class and text.

[@Nfalak]

Show how Afghan women are talented, education is the key to success, do not beg for humanitarian support which will eventually end you up for slavery or being puppet, keep your identity and pride that our nation and our country has a history of 5000 yrs, only four decades we have been suffering the rest before we were a proud and educated nation, we will rise again inshallah

[@andresmauriciomaiguel]

Excellent

[@masturafokur9934]

if anyone wants to study it doesn't matter a real school or a face school !!!

[@MoonlitToast]

This was a beautiful video!

[@TheCatalystReaction]

Such a great and inspirational video

[@MultiMaxFun]

is anyone else have teary eyes after watching this???

[@beirirangu]

she is idealistic... the world is much more complex than one could imagine. This issue cannot be resolved in days, months, maybe even years... because of culture, government, religion, terrorists, all and more have to come into play as the ideals are to be met... but it is something that reasonable people will fight for

[@saumilbmehta]

I liked the video in the very first two mins.. amazing !!

[@sarahdaigle7630]

This is beautiful! Big steps in the right direction!

[@ehsanull]

wow best speech...and i noticed one thing....her eyes tells stories of her past life, how she suffered thru her life...

[@zirbat16]

a great talk loved it

[@GonzoSleights]

Good to see someone on ted that's not just trying to sell their book.

[@gurkaransandhu9168]

She’s a great lady respect from india if boys have the right to be educated girls have the equal rights as boys

[@frapas9754]

A real hero! Respect!

[@decentperson9627]

Go on sister. God z with you.

[@dinuseee]

Education and school is not just about a degree..its about creating an environment where a young generation can develop in to a society with right values

[@themightyhastone]

Almost cried

[@SasaYamaoka]

... brave and honorable people

[@Dhara-r6r]

Amazingly brave women. Salute to her 🙏🙏. But what now? Please God save the Afghan people 🙏🙏

[@mostafashansab4022]

Amazing speach

[@sureshchandverma7]

शक्तिशाली महिला है

[@mohitk.sisodiya9242]

Salute to Shabana Basij- Rasikh. best wish to SOLA.

[@MohamedNaeem39]

Proud of you sister

[@mma-gb3si]

Great job this Afghan brother is with you. Show the world how smart and brave the Afghan women really are. By the way I have to admit that women are way smarter than men. Loll

[@Toastmaster_5000]

She didn't say college education, she just said an education. If you're not educated, how are you supposed to know how to cook properly or make a wise choice in a government leader? An education (or a school to be more specific) is a lot more than just gaining intellect, it's also about community and putting perspective in life, something which Afganistan seems to drastically lack in. Countries operated by religion are the most war torn and coincidentally have the worst education.

[@brendantan4362]

“you can lose everything in your life... but the one thing that will always remain with you is knowledge. If we have to sell our blood to pay your school fees, we will.” This quote struck me the most. If the Taleban are going to continue with the literal interpretation of the Quran, there is no way for Afghanistan to make significant progress. Secret schools is not going to cut it to educate the masses.

[@Tenuki2]

Excellent talk. Also quite impressive clothes.

[@yami9977]

Such an honorable woman.

[@bibizainabpirzada9848]

good of luck in your life

[@ceydagunes6873]

Respect

[@youngrolex7466]

Good Speech

[@Tastytoast225]

amazing what we take for granted.

[@RullArch90]

"What people in Afghanistan really need is a stable supply of fresh water,a stable food supply and a stable government." The only way that can be achieved is through a democracy built from a well educated society of people demanding their rights and working to secure their country's future. As long as extremest forbid education and imaginative thought, and suppress and deny rights to half the population, then Afghanistan will never have clean water, stable food, and a stable government.

[@sinachiniforoosh]

I know some horrible people were religious, what I'm saying is that if some "Bin Laden" wants to lead a society, if that society is educated, he will have a harder time trying to convince them to follow him, and that is mostly independent of them being religious or not, it depends on them being educated and intelligent.

[@nicepandas]

Maybe you are like me and from a weathy nation where we are led to beleive all have access to good education. In fact though I think that in some developed nations not all have access to good education. As a male I had access to the building where my education was supposed to be, but not my teachers attention nor the help and encouragement and guidance I needed. I thaught school was a waste and I failed. This left me no options in society. NowI listen to an Afgan woman turning on the water works