Afghanistan: Girl Power! (Enhanced DVD)

International shock and horror was triggered by the story in this film. A fifteen-year old girl was held captive and tortured by the family of her husband. When police rescued her, it was shown that her family had sold her into slavery. There was an attempt to force her into prostitution. When she refused to cooperate, she was cut with a knife, burned by cigarettes, beaten, and her fingernails were ripped out. When she was rescued, she was barely alive.

Women in Afghanistan are treated very poorly. They have virtually no rights and are traded and sold like animals. For a woman to try to educate herself is to risk her life. Kept as virtual slaves by the families, the young women are trapped in such horrid conditions as to be almost unbelievable in modern society.

This documentary reveals the exploitation and abuse of women in Afghanistan. The Taliban banned women from being seen in public, made it illegal for girls to attend school, and television watching was prohibited.  Now, the Taliban is no longer in power but the traditions remain unchanged, especially when it comes to abuse of women.

New television reality shows called "soapies" are making inroads towards changing the perceptions of the Afghani people. One television show is very popular. It is called "Secrets of the House." It makes a very strong statement about the gender discrimination in Afghanistan and shows women in a more powerful light. This television show is an example that hopes to show how to improve the women's lives in such a repressive male-dominated society.

Afghanistan: Girl Power!

• Enhanced DVD
• ISBN: 978-1-62290-633-8
• Run Time: 27 Minutes
• Copyright Date: 2012
• CC