POV

The War to Be Her

In the Taliban-controlled area of Waziristan in northwestern Pakistan, where sports for women are decried as un-Islamic and girls rarely leave their houses, young Maria Toorpakai defies the rules by disguising herself as a boy so she can play squash freely. As she becomes a rising star, however, her true identity is revealed, bringing constant death threats on her and her family.

The War to Be Her: Trailer

2m 17s

In the Taliban-controlled area of Waziristan in northwestern Pakistan, where sports for women are decried as un-Islamic and girls rarely leave their houses, young Maria Toorpakai defies the rules by disguising herself as a boy so she can play squash freely. As she becomes a rising star, however, her true identity is revealed, bringing constant death threats on her and her family.

Previews + Extras

  • The War to Be Her - Life Goes On: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The War to Be Her - Life Goes On

    S31 E7 - 11m 16s

    The clip covers several topics that will be important to review with students, including parental support, life under the Taliban, links between Taliban control and poverty, extremism as a distortion of Islam, the benefits of sports and differences between urban and rural communities.

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