1 00:00:02,033 --> 00:00:04,966 WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Now we turn to Bangladesh, where some children walk the beaches selling 2 00:00:04,966 --> 00:00:09,133 trinkets and food to help their families deal with grinding poverty. 3 00:00:09,133 --> 00:00:12,866 Many of the girls will be married before they become adults, and will often be expected 4 00:00:12,866 --> 00:00:15,500 to assume traditional roles in the house. 5 00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:20,066 But one ambitious group of young girls is pushing back against that tide, and heading 6 00:00:20,066 --> 00:00:21,600 into the surf. 7 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:23,800 Special correspondent Tania Rashid takes us wave-riding. 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:28,800 TANIA RASHID: The world's longest beach is in Bangladesh, and it is in Cox's Bazar, the 9 00:00:31,066 --> 00:00:33,866 only beach town in the country. 10 00:00:33,866 --> 00:00:38,166 And these are the only girls that ride the waves. 11 00:00:38,166 --> 00:00:43,166 Watching girls surf is a rare sight in this predominantly Muslim country of 160 million. 12 00:00:45,133 --> 00:00:48,733 The surfers are mainly men, and most of the people here say it bothers them to see girls 13 00:00:48,733 --> 00:00:50,000 in the water. 14 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,700 But that's no matter to Sobe Meheraz. 15 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:56,800 She is one of the 12 surfer girls in the entire region. 16 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,733 At the surf club, she tells me about her passion for surfing. 17 00:00:59,733 --> 00:01:03,000 SOBE MEHERAZ, Surfer (through translator): My friends surf. 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,933 Once we surf, and I can ride a big wave, then I feel really good. 19 00:01:06,933 --> 00:01:08,466 That's why I love surfing. 20 00:01:08,466 --> 00:01:12,333 When people see me, they say, wow, you rode such a big wave. 21 00:01:12,333 --> 00:01:13,866 Everyone watches me at the beach. 22 00:01:13,866 --> 00:01:16,500 Everyone says, good job, good job. 23 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:19,600 But there are some boys around the neighborhood that say bad things. 24 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:21,400 They don't know me. 25 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:22,400 People don't understand. 26 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:24,100 They frown upon it. 27 00:01:24,100 --> 00:01:26,200 It's most Bengali people that don't like it. 28 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:31,200 TANIA RASHID: With the rising scale of Islamist extremism and attacks in the area, these girls 29 00:01:33,166 --> 00:01:36,533 have already faced threats from conservative Muslims in the neighborhood. 30 00:01:38,366 --> 00:01:41,933 At a nearby madrassa, an Islamic religious school, funded by non-government sources, 31 00:01:41,933 --> 00:01:46,933 including help from individuals abroad and within their community, a local imam is training 32 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,533 young boys to recite the Koran and practice Islam. 33 00:01:50,533 --> 00:01:53,766 What do you think about young girls and women surfing? 34 00:01:53,766 --> 00:01:58,766 MAN (through translator): The issue of girls surfing, to me, isn't a good thing. 35 00:02:00,300 --> 00:02:02,533 Girls are meant to be covered, so that boys can't see them. 36 00:02:02,533 --> 00:02:04,933 Girls have been told to stay out of boys' sight. 37 00:02:04,933 --> 00:02:07,733 Girls are respectful beings, and they have been asked to stay hidden. 38 00:02:07,733 --> 00:02:12,733 So, if girls are surfing and go into the ocean, then a lot of people can see then. 39 00:02:13,466 --> 00:02:14,133 And that's a sin. 40 00:02:14,133 --> 00:02:15,600 It's not good. 41 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,033 TANIA RASHID: What is a woman's role in Islam, then? 42 00:02:19,033 --> 00:02:23,666 MAN (through translator): God has created women to be respected and to be at the disposal 43 00:02:23,666 --> 00:02:25,033 of men. 44 00:02:25,033 --> 00:02:26,966 This is the main theory of Islam. 45 00:02:26,966 --> 00:02:30,133 TANIA RASHID: But this perception of the men doesn't stop Sobe Meheraz from surfing. 46 00:02:30,133 --> 00:02:32,700 SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): No, no, I'm not scared. 47 00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:35,033 I used to be scared at first, but not anymore. 48 00:02:35,033 --> 00:02:39,433 TANIA RASHID: In just a few days, there will be a competition sponsored by an American 49 00:02:39,433 --> 00:02:41,966 missionary called Surfing the Nations. 50 00:02:41,966 --> 00:02:45,033 Hundreds of people will be watching, including the judges. 51 00:02:45,033 --> 00:02:48,733 Sobe Meheraz and Shoma are the best surfers among the girls. 52 00:02:48,733 --> 00:02:53,333 The top winner will receive $248.00 and a used surfboard. 53 00:02:53,333 --> 00:02:54,766 The girls could use the cash. 54 00:02:54,766 --> 00:02:56,133 They all live in the slums. 55 00:02:56,133 --> 00:02:59,233 They are determined to win. 56 00:02:59,233 --> 00:03:03,433 Rashed Alam, a longtime surfer himself, found the girls selling eggs and jewelry on the 57 00:03:03,433 --> 00:03:07,866 beach five years ago, and decided to train the girls to surf. 58 00:03:07,866 --> 00:03:11,666 He now looks after them as his own and runs a local surfer boys and girls club. 59 00:03:11,666 --> 00:03:13,933 RASHED ALAM, Founder, Surf Boys and Girls Club: They have freedom. 60 00:03:13,933 --> 00:03:15,833 They like have lots of things to do. 61 00:03:15,833 --> 00:03:18,033 They have life. 62 00:03:18,033 --> 00:03:19,666 What do women do in Bangladesh? 63 00:03:19,666 --> 00:03:23,033 They go get married and stay in home, like whole life as housewife. 64 00:03:23,033 --> 00:03:27,233 Here, there are lots of things to do outside of home. 65 00:03:27,233 --> 00:03:28,666 Don't give up. 66 00:03:28,666 --> 00:03:30,266 Don't give up. 67 00:03:30,266 --> 00:03:32,500 What you are doing is an amazing job. 68 00:03:32,500 --> 00:03:34,233 You are promoting our country. 69 00:03:34,233 --> 00:03:38,533 I just want to see a smile on their face. 70 00:03:38,533 --> 00:03:41,966 TANIA RASHID: Shoma's mother believes in empowering her daughter. 71 00:03:41,966 --> 00:03:46,133 WOMAN (through translator): My daughter surfs, and I am so happy. 72 00:03:46,133 --> 00:03:47,800 Our lives are functioning. 73 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:51,533 If Allah blesses us, then my daughter will be very big surfer. 74 00:03:51,533 --> 00:03:56,466 She can surf for 40 or 50 years, surf well, and go to a foreign land. 75 00:03:56,466 --> 00:04:01,466 TANIA RASHID: But this town has some of the highest rates of poverty in Bangladesh, and 76 00:04:02,333 --> 00:04:03,866 child marriage is rampant. 77 00:04:03,866 --> 00:04:07,500 One in three girls is being married under the age of 15. 78 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:12,233 Baby Aktar, Sobe Meheraz's mother, a victim of child marriage herself, married off all 79 00:04:12,233 --> 00:04:14,733 her daughters at 13, except for Sobe Meheraz. 80 00:04:14,733 --> 00:04:19,733 Since her husband, a drug addict, left, she's had to support her family alone. 81 00:04:20,900 --> 00:04:22,966 She is not so fond of her daughter's surfing. 82 00:04:22,966 --> 00:04:24,366 BABY AKTAR, Mother of Sobe Meheraz (through translator): If she had a job, it would be 83 00:04:24,366 --> 00:04:25,366 good for us. 84 00:04:25,366 --> 00:04:27,033 I have so many illnesses. 85 00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:30,366 I have no one to help me to get me medicine. 86 00:04:30,366 --> 00:04:33,200 I just stay in the house all by myself. 87 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:38,200 A woman should understand another woman's hardship, yes. 88 00:04:38,933 --> 00:04:40,433 She is also a woman. 89 00:04:40,433 --> 00:04:42,700 She is causing me a lot of pain, this daughter of mine. 90 00:04:42,700 --> 00:04:47,700 TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz remains to be the only unmarried daughter in the family. 91 00:04:49,166 --> 00:04:51,333 When she's not surfing, she does her best to support her mother. 92 00:04:51,333 --> 00:04:55,833 Despite her mother's discouragement, Sobe Meheraz is determined to win the girls division 93 00:04:55,833 --> 00:04:57,833 at the annual competition. 94 00:04:57,833 --> 00:04:59,866 And today is the big day. 95 00:04:59,866 --> 00:05:03,700 She and the rest of the girls come one by one at 5:00 a.m. to begin prepping for the 96 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:05,866 competition. 97 00:05:05,866 --> 00:05:10,333 Now that I'm looking at the waves, it seems like that it might be difficult for you to 98 00:05:10,333 --> 00:05:11,800 surf. 99 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:13,600 Do you think you are going to be able to manage? 100 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,533 WOMAN: Yes. 101 00:05:15,533 --> 00:05:20,066 TANIA RASHID: Though crowds cheer on the girls, the stares linger. 102 00:05:22,066 --> 00:05:25,966 Local Muslim onlookers are not very pleased watching the girls surf, including the religious 103 00:05:25,966 --> 00:05:28,433 men surrounding the area. 104 00:05:28,433 --> 00:05:32,566 Crowds gather to watch both the girls and boys prep to ride the waves. 105 00:05:32,566 --> 00:05:34,166 Local media is present. 106 00:05:34,166 --> 00:05:36,333 SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): My name is Sobe Meheraz. 107 00:05:36,333 --> 00:05:38,133 I give my salaam to everyone. 108 00:05:38,133 --> 00:05:40,033 I'm happy I'm in the final. 109 00:05:40,033 --> 00:05:41,733 If I am first place, I will be happy. 110 00:05:41,733 --> 00:05:44,500 And if my team members win, I will be really happy. 111 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:49,500 TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz and the girls wait nervously before they hit their last wave. 112 00:05:51,066 --> 00:05:52,500 The stakes are high. 113 00:05:52,500 --> 00:05:55,733 Sobe Meheraz's friend, Shoma, also feels the pressure. 114 00:05:55,733 --> 00:05:58,033 SHOMA, Surfer (through translator): I'm really scared. 115 00:05:58,033 --> 00:06:00,133 I'm very scared about my performance. 116 00:06:00,133 --> 00:06:01,666 Will I do well? 117 00:06:01,666 --> 00:06:02,666 The waves are bad. 118 00:06:02,666 --> 00:06:04,766 I will be really happy if I win. 119 00:06:04,766 --> 00:06:06,466 It is my life's dream. 120 00:06:06,466 --> 00:06:09,966 TANIA RASHID: But the whistle blows, and they have to face the ocean. 121 00:06:09,966 --> 00:06:12,233 One by one, they each go as Rashed looks on. 122 00:06:12,233 --> 00:06:14,533 RASHED ALAM: I'm feeling like really happy now. 123 00:06:14,533 --> 00:06:16,500 I'm really happy. 124 00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:20,266 What I'm always looking for, always my dream, there, like, it's happening. 125 00:06:20,266 --> 00:06:24,233 TANIA RASHID: At a final ceremony, the winners are about to be awarded. 126 00:06:24,233 --> 00:06:28,500 The girls dance to pass time as all the mothers wait anxiously. 127 00:06:28,500 --> 00:06:33,500 And after surfing into being in second place two years in a row, this year, Sobe Meheraz 128 00:06:34,233 --> 00:06:36,233 wins first prize. 129 00:06:36,233 --> 00:06:38,133 SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): I didn't win twice, but I won this time. 130 00:06:38,133 --> 00:06:42,966 My name is Sobe Meheraz, 2017 champion. 131 00:06:42,966 --> 00:06:44,433 Champion! 132 00:06:44,433 --> 00:06:47,166 I kept telling myself I'm not going to give up. 133 00:06:47,166 --> 00:06:49,433 When I went surfing, I said I can do this. 134 00:06:49,433 --> 00:06:54,000 At first, I did feel then I went for it and dived and became a champion. 135 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,800 TANIA RASHID: And she finally feels like she has won her mother's approval. 136 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:02,100 SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): My mom is so happy. 137 00:07:02,100 --> 00:07:06,633 She can tell everyone in our neighborhood: My daughter is the champion of 2017. 138 00:07:06,633 --> 00:07:11,633 TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz plans on giving the money she won to help her family and donating 139 00:07:13,666 --> 00:07:17,000 her board to the surf club, so young girls can continue to learn to surf, just like her. 140 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:22,633 For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Tania Rashid in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.