Maria Bashir

(http://content.time.com)

"If I did it, you can do it" (Maria Bashir). Although these words might seem simple, Maria Bashir has gone through several hardships to fight for the rights of Afghan women who had no power over their capabilities. Bashir was born in 1970 in Afghanistan. She started her career studying law at Kabul University, where she developed her passion for prosecution (Hegarty). Throughout her college years, she persevered and worked hard, earning herself a law degree. Later on in her life, she moved to Herat, Afghanistan, where she married an Afghan business owner. During this time, Bashir worked as a criminal investigator. Then, in 2006 she worked her way up by becoming the first female chief prosecutor of Afghanistan. The Taliban regime constantly challenges Bashir's job. On a day-to-day basis, Bashir receives several threats but still strives to reinforce the rights of Afghan women. For many people, a hero can be interpreted differently. A hero must possess selflessness and determination. Someone who is selfless is willing to be a role model by helping others, without expecting anything in return. The ability to benefit others is another form of being heroic. Maria Bashir is an inspiration to women because of her selfless actions and her determination to motivate others to fight for their rights.

(http://www.motherjones.com)

Maria Bashir's dedication to helping others prompted women of Afghanistan to stand up for their rights, even if it meant going through trials. During the year of Bashir's move to Herat, which was also the year the Taliban took over control of Afghanistan, Bashir noticed the way the women of her community were treated. These women had limited rights to getting the education they needed, so Bashir wanted to resolve this problem by starting, "a secret school for young women in her home as a way to earn money for her family and to give young Afghan girls a chance at a future. The girls arrived at Bashir's home with their supplies and books hidden in grocery bags" ("Maria Bashir." Gale). Bashir did not let any of the struggles she experienced affect her outlook on what was happening to the women of her community. She demonstrates selflessness through her passion of empowering women. Since the Taliban regime restricted the rights of women, Bashir devotes her life to fighting for these women's rights, even if it means enduring hardships. She even risked her life to give an education to women who did not have the resources. Bashir not only reached out to the women of her community, but also to others from different parts of her country. An example of her generosity is shown when she "[gave] lectures at high schools and universities titled, 'If I Did It, You Can Do It, Too.' In those speeches, and in other settings both public and private, she urges Afghan girls and young women to expand their ambitions and strive for jobs outside the home as lawyers or doctors" (Bowley). For the women in Afghanistan, they had little freedom over what they wanted to do. Bashir encouraged these women by giving them the boost they need to be successful in whatever they chose to pursue. She wanted to assure them that they can accomplish anything that they put work into. Bashir was hopeful for the future of these women, and she was confident that her wise words would have an impact on their lives. She demonstrates her concern for others by standing up for the women of her country and having faith in their capabilities.

(http://www.nytimes.com)

Bashir demonstrates her determination to improve the rights of Afghan women by overcoming challenges. In an interview with Sunday Times, Bashir explains that the laws of Afghanistan are ineffective and that she has to do something about it. She does this by saying: "'The problem is we have good written laws, but they are not implemented,''I'm trying to change that. If a man beats his wife and she has a hospital report, I will sentence that man to jail. People don't like that'" ("Maria Bashir." Newsmakers). Maria Bashir's devotion to make a change for women's rights and capabilities, proves that she is determined to improve the lives of these women. Her dedication to standing up for what she believes in, even with the powerful and threatening forces against her, shows her willingness to go through struggles. What Bashir is doing is hard because she has to go against the status quo, which is difficult because the forces against her have oppressed women for years. In Bashir's productive career, she, "...oversaw 87 cases representing victims of domestic abuse--some of these cases included forced child marriages" ("Maria Bashir."Gale). Maria Bashir reveals her determination to end the misconduct in Afghanistan, by investigating the several cases that occurred to Afghan women. Even with all the threats that Bashir received, she was still bold enough to make sure women were being treated right. Bashir's devotion sheds light on her mission and encourages all women to stand up for their rights.

Maria Bashir's impactful efforts to help women by acting selfless, and drive to improve the rights of women, demonstrates how heroic she truly is. Overall, Bashir's experiences through hardships and her efforts to making a change for Afghan women's rights, opened the eyes of all women. Her success of becoming the first women chief prosecutor of Afghanistan, proves to women that they are as capable and bold as men are. Her positive influence on women drives them to aspire to be the strong leader that Bashir is. Bashir's continuous hard work of fighting for women's rights has progressed over the years. "The fact that more women are coming forward to seek protection under a new law, the Elimination of Violence Against Women Act, shows that women possess growing confidence in the legal system. Her province is one of the top ones for registering cases under the new law" (Bowley). Bashir has made an impact on women by giving them the strength to come forward and speak about their experiences, even though it is not the easiest thing to do. Many women can look up to Bashir because of her determination and selflessness towards others. Her encouragement to women to persevere and fight for their freedom makes her a role model that anyone can look up to.