When women are at the table | Fawzia Koofi | TEDxPlaceDesNations

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Abandoned at birth to die in the sun, this Afghan woman has fought to survive, be educated and be elected to parliament. She has been the target of several assassination attempts, but carries on her work to give her daughters and all women a voice in her country. "We live, we fight".
Fawzia Koofi, an Afghan politician and women's rights activist has made her leadership journey in a country of harsh topography, internal conflict, intermittent wars and a militant government. She completed high school during the war-ravaged years and entered medical school. Soon after, the Taliban took over in 1995, and barred women from access to all education. Finding the doors of university closed to her, Fawzia focused her energy towards women’s rights and Internally Displaced People’s organizations. In 2005, after the fall of the Taliban, and the first elected parliament in 33 years, Fawzia was elected to Parliament to represent Badakhshan, then elected by her peers as the first woman Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament in the history of Afghanistan. As a young woman in a heavily traditional country, to come this far, Fawzia has battled male domination, imposition of men’s selective religious interpretation on the rights of women and issues of power between men and women, and the old and new generations. Young people are seen as a threat by traditional power holders who do not want a new generation to organize, or to be in a position to challenge traditional authority. Fawzia has been re-elected to a second term to Parliament, and is now Chairperson of the Women, Human Rights & Civil Society Commission; she is currently the only woman Chairperson in the Lower House of Parliament.Fawzia is the author of Letters To My Daughters, and The Favorite Daughter, an autobiography and best seller in many countries around the world. Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places anywhere in the world to be a woman, or to be a politician, and Fawzia Koofi is both.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@aminakhatib8059]

This is one of the most inspirational TED Talks I've ever listened to. She's blessed with courage and a Mother who believed in her. It puts all our own challenges and problems in perspective. As Muslim women we too need to dig deep into ourselves like she has to find that courage to face those who try to oppress us.

[@maxs26]

Favorite quote of this talk: 'We fight. We survive. We live.' This is a very strong and courageous woman, willing to die for democracy. This woman has had near-death experiences for something we {the west} consider normal. Democracy is a good thing and everyone who has the oppurtunity to live in a democratic society should see itself as lucky.

[@aaliyahmohamed]

What an inspiration!!! From unwanted girl to most wanted female...May Allah protect you.

[@sudobayaqoub339]

She is an inspirational woman, hopefully i'll get a chance to meet her. It takes a Lion to do what she does in a society where every second is danger, every day is a struggle to just survive.

[@vlolalaniel]

What an incredible person, woman, pioneer, role model, and fighter for women's human rights. Fawzia Koofi has all my most sincere admiration for all that she represents for the children of Afghanistan and for her democratic vision for the future of this country.

[@maryafg3393]

I love this women she has inspired in so many ways, May Allah protect her and her family

[@skylark304]

ALLAH is the problem not the solution; ISLAM is a virulent app software made by ARAB.

[@mr.muhammadabdulbari]

she is american agent

[@PoliticalMatter]

Allah is the reason for radicalization and Taliban.

[@asefsyal]

I love TEDx Talks, it has always inspired me, wish one day i would talk there too.. :)

[@Petra44YT]

Man, I almost deleted this form my "Watch Later" list, because it had such a nondescript title. I'm sure glad I didn't delete it!

[@Casper2905]

That is one of the most inspirational speech on Afghan women 's determination to excel in spite of the Taliban's determination to silent women.

[@HalimHabibi]

We all love you dear MS Koofi! Very inspiring speech! Thank you for being such a leader!

[@Misimbalance]

We fight we survive we live What a quote

[@katayoundanish1304]

good speech for country like AFGHANISTAN IN 35-year war and disaster this is unbelievable that a woman hardworking has a good result she is brave woman.

[@aqs6077]

I am from Afghanistan I am very happy to saw ms kofi in this show I am a big fan of her I proud of you ms❤❤❤❤🇦🇫🇦🇫

[@ChipSpencer123]

Success from doing and overcoming and wanting. Thanks for all you've done,

[@TIMEPASSWITHDrENGLISH]

Heart touching story of a exceptionally brave woman !

[@97marwa]

A true inspiration proud of her😊

[@afghanwardag9390]

ماشأ الله . ‌‌‌‌‌‌ډېره ښه اوپه زړه پورې وينا مو وکړه ستاسو جرءت د قدر وړدی د لا بر يا‌ؤ په هيله مو.

[@Indusxstan]

courageous Afghan. Well done.

[@abdolhadimuslimiar131]

very nice

[@sadiqsameer7980]

The Most Amazing part of this speech i like is " I had nothing to do so I got Married "

[@skylark304]

ISLAM is a virulent app software made by ARAB that has scourged the humanity all over the world

[@bahadurmajnon1358]

درود بر شما دخت بدخشان بانو فوزیه کوفی😘😘😘😙😙😙😍😍😍😍😚😚

[@nazirsarwary9694]

absolutely amazing, loved it!!!!!!!!!!

[@MataRazy]

Inspirational, Masha'Allah!

[@EXTRABINA]

Women's life under Taliban regime was most barbaric. Thanks God, the country overcame and now looking towards property.

[@vikaspanchal8015]

Salute to you mam, your story certainly going to inspire many Afghanistani, Indian and all those people who are aspiring to become something in lyf. Love From India

[@brandydinsmore8214]

Inspires this american woman as well. Thank you for your strength, determination, and willingness to serve.

[@mohameedaiameer9220]

Mash'A Allah, may Allah bless you. May God bless you. I wish you success and lasting success.

[@mohammadfaheemziaee3604]

Masha'Allah; we proud of you dear sister.

[@skylark304]

ISLAM is a virulent app software made by ARAB that has scourged the humanity all over the world

[@malika19792009]

Beautiful speech...

[@sayedromanhashemi4634]

Fantastic

[@halimarshad1587]

She is very good leadership skills , I wish she wasn’t Corrupt.

[@rethinr2234]

Hats off madam

[@hotnlone4eva]

wonderful empowerment

[@BaharaAndish]

Fantastic ❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sohaillahkhalili2129]

Beautiful and thoughtful speech. Love

[@faridravi2165]

She is a good woman in afghanstan i a lot of live this

I'm amazed by her courage as I know how Talibans are unconscious to dare killing valorous people like her, and I'm somehow worrying about her living conditions in the sens that she has to confront the permanent violence on going in her country. But I would really like her to take seriously into account threats from those savage talibans by being careful cuz they can be cruel.

[@dewakhan1251]

❤️❤️lovely woman

[@Who-cares-l1k]

and after decades, history is repeating in afghanistan, where once again women are not allowed to study, to work and simply live.

[@niloomiloo2557]

she is speaking as an innocent women working courageously to save her family and to educate herself as well, i know more much about her life and about her actions in parliament of afg, common fawzia jan,u know it better its hard to survive as a uneducated women in afganistan's environment. dont show something completely different from yourself to the persons who dont know you! kase dega nashnasit ma afghan haye khodet astiiiim mefamim k chi raqam adam asti 😅😁

[@jeremyvanbriesies1940]

A beautiful woman with a beautiful heart ..i bless her

[@rahimsadid1302]

I love this women

[@hadimohammadi3192]

That is important that she is not want to kill by accident.

[@richardkuda321]

PM , President material.

[@mubasharshahid5919]

Fawzia zindabad

[@Rmrus]

❤❤❤🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫

[@kamalr2151]

Fawzia K.=Mata shakti=narishakti=bibishakti=you my dear lady onece you understand those words above=there is nothing to stop you to become an indra ghandi,magret,tactcher...And perhaps=president... congratulations india /Afghanistan,USA nato and likeminded shantiOm =krunvanto arya vishwadharma is unstoppable=Vijayaom swaha!!!

[@thefatherofdragons6616]

Before calling somebody as 'hero' or 'inspiring' please do a background research. You all are supposed to be the wisest audience

[@samuelhara4874]

Okey bye 👋

[@asilrahimi2262]

Good but with a lot of Exaggeration.

[@a.a.5880]

12:34 her time is out haha

[@menawaziri6052]

Is it true your brother is warlord???

[@jojones5811]

She spent 10s of thousands dollars from her family drugs business to become a PM in Afghanistan parliament to protect her family ditty money which made by selling drugs and stolen highly prized resources, listening to her make me sick to be honest, no one Elected her she paid to another member of corrupt MP to become a chairwoman, as she says all her family in Afghanistan parliament 🤣🤣if I was in this meeting I’ll take the next speech after her ,

[@allasoiko6999]

Pesce in afghanistan

[@realcyberpirate]

This woman is a warlord. Her family extorts the people of Badakhshan for money. Her whole family acts as if they own this land and can put anyone in jail if they disagree with them. I hope can do a little research on people before calling them an inspiration. Thanks

[@khyberakberzai666]

Cyber Pirate she's also anti pashtun right

[@sleepyjoe7518]

Fawzia Koofi, send ur son and husband to go and liberate Afghanistan.

[@nelsonadama7328]

That is the cruel of radical Muslim..

[@faridpannah1596]

کاته ات خیلی زورمند بوده ولا، ورنه من که در تو کدام استعداد نمیبینم...

[@freshstart791]

Seriously?? TEDx lost my respect with letting this drug dealer talk

[@mustafar7302]

We live,We fight,We survive (ZOMBIE Apocalypse)

[@dehechenka]

this is tajik women. never call her afghan(pashtun)

[@wm5171]

Doni Habib Nurmagamedov Khrosoni it's people like you who disturbs peace in Afghanistan. Shame on you!

[@squipy184]

Afghan constitution (chapter 1, article 3 I believe) states that "Afghan" refers to every tribe and ethnicity in Afghanistan including Pashtun and Tajik as well as dozens of other peoples.

[@greaterpakistan3128]

You are a mordagaw. Keep up with your mordagawi.

[@vikaspanchal8015]

She is Afghan first brother than comes the other identity. She is representing Afghanistan here not any native tribe. She is an amazing, intelligent leader. Love from India to all Afghanistan's people. And wishing a prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan.

[@zemzem8323]

Doni Habib Nurmagamedov Khrosoni - you should change your name from Doni to Donkey. No one cares what you think about this brave and courageous afghan woman. Mordagaw fits you good too. Your choice donkey or mordagaw.

[@fakhrianoori7245]

she is saying lie

[@zemzem8323]

What is she lying about? Don’t make accusations without proof !

[@Quranic-wisdom365]

Historical rubbish

[@georgebond7777]

Get rid of those clothes to get real freedom.

[@mohammedsalah3056]

George Bond freedom have a great meaning more than your conception. the veil is other type of freedom, and every woman in any planet, has aright to wear what she wont to wear.

[@georgebond7777]

Mohammed Salah no they dont wear it because they want to its your Islam and your perverted imams that FORCE you to do it.

[@streamx2]

+George Bond the burka is forced no the veil. She is a powerful woman and is dressing how she wants not how the imams want her to dress.

[@georgebond7777]

itsmeyama.com bullshit she's scared for her life.

[@imransafi6083]

fantastic

[@thomasksatriagurkha7]

Amazing

[@atiqlalzai]

👍👏

[@charlottepontevia3146]

Amazing

[@miladchardihiwall1760]

So if we want we can rellay nice speech

[@helalhelal5517]

we proud of you :)