Page 6: Relating to the Human Experience
As a girl in Kabul, Afghanistan, Parvana lives through extraordinarily difficult circumstances that most of
us will never experience: afraid of how she will survive from one day to the next, angry at injustice,
despairing about her confinement and the conditions that her family and country must endure. In spite
of her negative surroundings, Parvana also experiences moments of growth, courage, humour, hope and
love. Many of the ways that Parvana and her family act and feel—fearful, angry, despair, confined,
courageous and hopeful—are relatable.
Journal This!
Pretend to be a character The Breadwinner. Choose a moment in the film or novel and write about how
you would have handled a situation that character experienced or a choice that character made. For
example, in the film a fruit seller in the Kabul market refuses to sell to Parvana as a girl because it would
mean his arrest should he be caught. Would you make the same decision if you were in his shoes?
Explain why or why not.
Page 7: Girls Empowered
Parvana and Shauzia face significant trials and hardships over the course of the novel and the film. When
thinking critically in relation to their lives and experiences you deepen your understanding of their story.
Talk It Out!
How are Parvana and Shauzia’s lives similar? How are they different? Consider the reason why each of
them is working to earn money. Do you have any characteristics in common with either Parvana or
Shauzia?
5
CHAPTER TWO: AFGHANISTAN (Social Studies)
Page 1: An Introduction to Afghanistan (Video)
This video attempts to demonstrate that there is more to Afghanistan than war and poverty, Taliban,
turbans and burqas alone. It provides a basic introduction that touches on history, language, culture,
sport and modern day statistics.
Page 2: Afghanistan Timeline -‐ 1950’s to Present
1950s & 1960s – During the Cold War,
Afghanistan was officially a neutral country -‐
receiving financial support from the US and
weapons from the Soviet Union. Afghanistan
tries to modernize, a time when burqas
became optional, modern and mud buildings
stood side by side, women were given the
right to vote and enter politics, liberal ways
were balanced with conservative ones.
1970s – A series of civils wars, coups and
invasions stop and even reverse progress.
However, women are encouraged to continue
without the veil and burqa. While women in
major cities experienced an increase in
personal rights and freedoms, they were
oppressed and treated as property in rural
areas.
1979 – With the invasion of the Soviet Union
comes a communist regime in Afghanistan.
Mujahedeen groups—backed by the United
States and further supported by Pakistan,
China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, who provide
money and weapons—push back violently.
1985 – Half of the Afghan population is
estimated to be displaced by war.
8
1988-‐89 – A peace accord is signed between
Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, the United
States and Pakistan. The Soviets pull all
troops out of Afghanistan, but civil war
continues.
1992 – The Communist government (led by
Najilluah), in place since before the Soviet
left, is overthrown by the Mujahedeen. A
devastating civil war ensues with mass killings
and massacres. Social development remains
stunted. However, women are still allowed to
go to school and work.
1994 – The Taliban -‐ who many thought
would bring peace -‐ come to prominence,
bringing in an authoritarian regime. Women
are forced to cover themselves, and girls are
banned from school.
September 1996 – Kabul, capital of
Afghanistan, is captured by the Taliban.
1998 – Taliban control 90% of Afghanistan.
March 2001 – Destruction of the famous
Bamiyan Buddha statues—declared by
UNESCO to be world heritage sites—in central
Afghanistan begins.
October 2001 – Afghanistan is invaded by a
US-‐led military coalition. The Taliban regime
falls by the first week of December.
2004 – Established as an Islamic Republic,
Afghanistan adopts a new constitution in
which: “The citizens of Afghanistan – whether
man or woman – have equal rights and duties
before the law.”
2008 – Of the 5.4 million children enrolled in
schools, about 35% are girls. But the Taliban
and their supporters carry out attacks against
schools, including acid attacks on girls,
remaining strongly against education for girls.
Parents are afraid to send their girls to school.
Today – Allied troops remain a presence in
Afghanistan, with more U.S. troops promised
by President Donald Trump. The Taliban,
along with ISIS, remain a threat and control a
lot of territory in Afghanistan.
9
Page 3: How Does Conflict Affect a Nation?
In the film, Parvana’s father tells us about an Afghanistan that existed before the chaos of the Taliban:
“We studied the stars and began to see order amidst the chaos. We were scientists, philosophers and
storytellers. Questions sought answers, and then more questions.” From this we get a glimpse of a
people that placed importance on social, educational and scientific growth. However, sitting between
continents, it is a nation surrounded by major countries, serving as a pathway to empires and their
power games.
When geography plays a role in international politics, we call it geopolitics. And so, for centuries, there
have been conflicts and struggles to control Afghanistan because of where it is on the global map. No
empire has ever been able to seize full control. But while Afghans resisted external powers, civil wars
have ensued, giving rise to groups like the Taliban who have not only stopped but reversed any progress
they have achieved over the past few decades.
Page 4: The Breadwinners of Today (video)
In modern day Kabul, young girls no longer need to dress as boys in order to go out in public, but some
families still rely on them to earn a living on the streets for their family as Parvana did. This mini-‐
documentary will feature several girls who started out on the streets but now have access to education.
The video will explore where they came from and how their outlook has changed.
10
Girls Like Us
Zoe Wees
It’s hard for girls like us
We don’t know who we trust
Not even the ones we love
‘Cause they don’t know
Stuck here
Stuck here in these waters
So sick to my stomach
Is anybody there?
Red lights
Red lights in the darkness
Everyone’s so heartless
Does anybody care?
It’s so hard to explain
With your heart in a cage
Only whisper but you wanna shout
‘Cause the second you wake
Too much pressure to take
Every part of you wants to cry out
It’s hard for girls like us
We don’t know who we trust
Not even the ones we love
‘Cause they don’t know
Try to numb this pain
‘Cause we don’t wanna get hurt again
Left alone out in the rain
They don’t know
Mirror, mirror on the wall
I don’t see beautiful
Staring back at me
Watching, watching my heart bleed out
Trying not to freak out
It’s hard for girls like us
We don’t know who we trust
Not even the ones we love
‘Cause they don’t know
Try to numb this pain
‘Cause we don’t wanna get hurt again
Left alone out in the rain
They don’t know
It’s hard for us
For girls like us
Girls like us
They don’t know
It’s hard for us
For girls like us
Girls like us
They don’t know
So, oh
And the worst part is
When I smile like this
And it hits me hard
Hits me hard
Tryna play it cool
But inside I’m bruised
And it breaks my heart
Breaks my heart
It’s hard for all of us
We don’t know who we trust
Not even the ones we love
They don’t know
Try to numb this pain
‘Cause we don’t wanna get hurt again
Left alone out in the rain
They don’t know
It’s hard for us
For girls like us (girls like us)
Girls like us
They don’t know
It’s hard for us (oh no)
For girls like us (girls like us)
Girls like us
They don’t know
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: High / Nicholas Rebscher / Patrick Pyke Salmy / Ricardo Munoz / Zoe Wees
Girls Like Us lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music
Publishing
Sankofa (TedX)
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
