Name: The song that sparked a movement in Afghanistan
Uploaded: 2024-12-05T15:46:54Z
Duration: 5 min 59 s
Description: Afghan activist Nila Ibrahimi shares her experience using song to protest — and ultimately reverse — oppressive laws in Afghanistan just before the Taliban took back control of the country. In a brief Q&A with Head of TED Chris Anderson, Ibrahimi sends a powerful message about the strength of girls' voices, both in Afghanistan and around the world.

Nila Ibrahimi: The song that sparked a movement in Afghanistan

The song that sparked a movement in Afghanistan

Afghan activist Nila Ibrahimi shares her experience using song to protest — and ultimately reverse — oppressive laws in Afghanistan just before the Taliban took back control of the country. In a brief Q&A with Head of TED Chris Anderson, Ibrahimi sends a powerful message about the strength of girls' voices, both in Afghanistan and around the world.

A protest song encouraging Afghan girls to attend school helped spark a movement that overturned a ban on public singing for girls. Just months later, the Taliban seized control, stripping away educational rights and forcing families to destroy evidence of their pasts. Despite losing hard-won freedoms in a single day, young women continue to resist and reclaim their voices. Their determination endures even in the face of overwhelming challenges.