From Superman to Wonder Woman, the world isn't in short supply of superheroes. However, the newest masked avenger that's making headlines wasn't born from the pages of comic books, but from real life trauma. A new Geo TV cartoon series, Burka Avenger, follows Jiya, a teacher by day, armed with a black burka as a disguise and an array of martial arts capabilities she uses to fight opponents of girls' education in Pakistan.
While the town, Halwapur, that Jiya's story is set in is fictional, the issues dealt with in the series are real. In Northwest Pakistan, the Taliban has bombed hundreds of schools as well as attacked activists in opposition to girls' education. The show is the project of Pakistani pop star Aaron Haroon Rashid. Rashid hopes the show will not only raise awareness about the tragedies that are occurring, but will teach children about the injustice of these actions. "Each one of our episodes is centered around a moral, which sends out strong social messages to kids," Rashid said. "But it is cloaked in pure entertainment, laughter, action and adventure."
Diana is a producer at ELLE.com. She previously wrote for MarieClaire.com. Diana is a Syracuse grad and a Chicago native, and therefore a pro at dealing with cold weather. She's also an Anglophile, which means she love all things British—especially Downton Abbey, London, and Will and Kate (and Prince George!)
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