videos and podcasts

The words of change.

We've curated a selection of videos and podcasts so you can hear from our students, and from Shabana, in their own words.

First, we take you to Washington, D.C. for Shabana's 2012 presentation at TEDWomen: "Dare to Educate Afghan Girls."

In 2021, Shabana returned to the TEDWomen stage — this time in California, where she shared an enduring dream.

In 2024, in partnership with our friends at National Geographic’s Impact Story Lab, a collection of our students composed letters “To Someone Like Me”: letters to Afghan girls around the world. Watch the video, and hear our girls read excerpts of their messages aloud.

You may also be interested in watching (and hearing):

2024

• Shabana’s 2nd conversation with NPR’s Meghna Chakrabarti for “On Point” on WBUR.

• Shabana’s commencement address delivered at Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI).

2023

• Shabana’s conversation with The Nation’s Jon Wiener for the “Start Making Sense” podcast.

• “What is one girl worth?” Shabana’s speech at the United Nations on the International Day of Education (scroll to 54:25).

• Shabana’s 2nd conversation with WNYC’s Melissa Harris-Perry for “The Takeaway.”

• “The Situation in Afghanistan” UN Security Council meeting on June 21st (scroll to 16:30)

• Shabana’s conversation with Future Crunch on “Educating the Future of Afghanistan”

2022

• Shabana joins young global leaders in conversation with the Dalai Lama (Dharamsala, India).

• Shabana’s conversation with NPR’s Manoush Zomorodi for “The TED Radio Hour.”

• Shabana’s conversation with WNYC’s Melissa Harris-Perry for “The Takeaway.”

2021

• Shabana’s conversation with James Hohmann for The Washington Post’s “Please, Go On.”

• Shabana’s conversation with NPR’s Meghna Chakrabarti for “On Point” on WBUR.

• Shabana’s conversation with Sue Halpern for The New Yorker Radio Hour.

2020

• SOLA students celebrate International Day of the Girl with art, poetry, and essays. Video produced by Girl Rising.

2019

• Shabana’s commencement address delivered at Cedar Crest College (Allentown, PA).

2018

• “I Will Never Stop Studying”: Shabana’s talk at TEDxGateway (Mumbai, India).

• Shabana's interview with Bezos Scholar Amal Altareb.

2017

• Shabana's conversation with Guy Raz for NPR's TED Radio Hour.

• WNPR segment on SOLA and girls' education.

2012-2016

• Shabana’s honorary degree acceptance speech at SOAS University of London (2016).

• Forbes Under 30 Summit Asia, Impact Award-Winner Presentation (Singapore, 2016).

• Clinton Global Initiative University -- Panel Discussion: A Better Future for Girls and Women (St. Louis, MO, 2013).

• Aspen Ideas Festival (Aspen, CO, 2013).

• World Bank "Girl Rising" Premiere (Washington, DC, 2013).

• CNN with Christiane Amanpour (New York, 2012).

As we record new videos, we'll add them here -- so be sure to check back often.