Human Rights Program

Two documentaries are available and on International Human Rights Day, December 10, there will be a webinar presentation from a Human Rights Watch representative to offer insight into the present situation for girls in Afghanistan.

Both of these popular docs have been offered in previous Docs For Schools and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival programs. Each offer students a sense of the challenges girls experienced, yet since the Taliban took over Afghanistan this past August, education for girls involves a murky future.

As a teacher, imagine facing your students, especially the girls, knowing that many would be unable to continue their education. Imagine having to tell the girls that their goals to become a teacher, a doctor, an accountant, a beautician, a musician are no longer a possibility. The door for girls’ aspirations, dreams and human rights have closed.

It is important that we know and see these stories. This may be happening far away, but we want to help teachers make the connection with these stories with empathy and understanding that the world is not divided into them and us. We all desire the same human rights.

Illustrated version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which you can share and discuss with your students.

Films suitable for Grades 5–12
It is important to preview any film prior to showing to students to determine if content is appropriate for your students.

• Program is FREE
• Available November 22 to December 10, 2021
• Suitable for in-class and online teaching
• Film(s) will be sent in advance of your selected period for preview and lesson prep
• Each film is sent with film link, controlled password and an education package
• The last date to book is Friday, December 3, 2021

The Films

What Tomorrow Brings

• D: Beth Murphy
• Afghanistan, USA
• 2015
• 52 min
• English & Dari, with English subtitles

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Subjects: Language, English, Media Arts, Politics, World Issues, World Religions

Through the camera of Beth Murphy, we follow the life of the first all-girls school in a remote, conservative Afghan village. The film traces the inter-connected stories of those who bring the school to life: students, teachers, village elders, parents, and school founder Razia Jan. While the girls learn to read and write, their education goes far beyond the classroom to become lessons about tradition and time. They discover their school is the one place they can turn to understand the differences between the lives they were born into and the lives they dream of leading.

Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You're A Girl)

• D: Carol Dysinger
• UK
• 2019
• 39 min
• Dari, with English subtitles

More Details

Subjects: Language, English, Media Arts, Politics, World Issues, World Religions

In the heart of Kabul is an unassuming building. Inside, there is a school—and a skatepark. A new generation of girls are learning to read, write, and skateboard at Skateistan, a non-profit organization established to empower girls from impoverished neighborhoods through education and athletic opportunities. Gaining courage and confidence, these girls are learning more than lessons. from a textbook.

Academy Award Winner, Best Short Documentary 2020

Live Webinar, December 10, 11AM

Join us on the United Nation’s International Human Rights Day. Our guest will be Human Rights Watch Associate Asia Director Patricia Gossman, who will be discussing the situation for girls in Afghanistan today. 

Thank you to Human Rights Watch for their partnership and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for their patronage and support of this program.