WEBVTT 00:02.033 --> 00:04.966 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Now we turn to Bangladesh, where some children walk the beaches selling 00:04.966 --> 00:09.133 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% trinkets and food to help their families deal with grinding poverty. 00:09.133 --> 00:12.866 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% Many of the girls will be married before they become adults, and will often be expected 00:12.866 --> 00:15.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% to assume traditional roles in the house. 00:15.500 --> 00:20.066 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% But one ambitious group of young girls is pushing back against that tide, and heading 00:20.066 --> 00:21.600 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% into the surf. 00:21.600 --> 00:23.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Special correspondent Tania Rashid takes us wave-riding. 00:23.800 --> 00:28.800 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: The world's longest beach is in Bangladesh, and it is in Cox's Bazar, the 00:31.066 --> 00:33.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% only beach town in the country. 00:33.866 --> 00:38.166 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And these are the only girls that ride the waves. 00:38.166 --> 00:43.166 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Watching girls surf is a rare sight in this predominantly Muslim country of 160 million. 00:45.133 --> 00:48.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% The surfers are mainly men, and most of the people here say it bothers them to see girls 00:48.733 --> 00:50.000 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% in the water. 00:50.000 --> 00:52.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% But that's no matter to Sobe Meheraz. 00:52.700 --> 00:56.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% She is one of the 12 surfer girls in the entire region. 00:56.800 --> 00:59.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% At the surf club, she tells me about her passion for surfing. 00:59.733 --> 01:03.000 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% SOBE MEHERAZ, Surfer (through translator): My friends surf. 01:03.000 --> 01:06.933 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% Once we surf, and I can ride a big wave, then I feel really good. 01:06.933 --> 01:08.466 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% That's why I love surfing. 01:08.466 --> 01:12.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% When people see me, they say, wow, you rode such a big wave. 01:12.333 --> 01:13.866 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Everyone watches me at the beach. 01:13.866 --> 01:16.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Everyone says, good job, good job. 01:16.500 --> 01:19.600 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% But there are some boys around the neighborhood that say bad things. 01:19.600 --> 01:21.400 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% They don't know me. 01:21.400 --> 01:22.400 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% People don't understand. 01:22.400 --> 01:24.100 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% They frown upon it. 01:24.100 --> 01:26.200 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% It's most Bengali people that don't like it. 01:26.200 --> 01:31.200 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: With the rising scale of Islamist extremism and attacks in the area, these girls 01:33.166 --> 01:36.533 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% have already faced threats from conservative Muslims in the neighborhood. 01:38.366 --> 01:41.933 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% At a nearby madrassa, an Islamic religious school, funded by non-government sources, 01:41.933 --> 01:46.933 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% including help from individuals abroad and within their community, a local imam is training 01:48.400 --> 01:50.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% young boys to recite the Koran and practice Islam. 01:50.533 --> 01:53.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% What do you think about young girls and women surfing? 01:53.766 --> 01:58.766 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MAN (through translator): The issue of girls surfing, to me, isn't a good thing. 02:00.300 --> 02:02.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Girls are meant to be covered, so that boys can't see them. 02:02.533 --> 02:04.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Girls have been told to stay out of boys' sight. 02:04.933 --> 02:07.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Girls are respectful beings, and they have been asked to stay hidden. 02:07.733 --> 02:12.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% So, if girls are surfing and go into the ocean, then a lot of people can see then. 02:13.466 --> 02:14.133 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% And that's a sin. 02:14.133 --> 02:15.600 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% It's not good. 02:15.600 --> 02:19.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% TANIA RASHID: What is a woman's role in Islam, then? 02:19.033 --> 02:23.666 align:left position:10%,start line:71% size:80% MAN (through translator): God has created women to be respected and to be at the disposal 02:23.666 --> 02:25.033 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% of men. 02:25.033 --> 02:26.966 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% This is the main theory of Islam. 02:26.966 --> 02:30.133 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: But this perception of the men doesn't stop Sobe Meheraz from surfing. 02:30.133 --> 02:32.700 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): No, no, I'm not scared. 02:32.700 --> 02:35.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I used to be scared at first, but not anymore. 02:35.033 --> 02:39.433 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% TANIA RASHID: In just a few days, there will be a competition sponsored by an American 02:39.433 --> 02:41.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% missionary called Surfing the Nations. 02:41.966 --> 02:45.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Hundreds of people will be watching, including the judges. 02:45.033 --> 02:48.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Sobe Meheraz and Shoma are the best surfers among the girls. 02:48.733 --> 02:53.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% The top winner will receive $248.00 and a used surfboard. 02:53.333 --> 02:54.766 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% The girls could use the cash. 02:54.766 --> 02:56.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% They all live in the slums. 02:56.133 --> 02:59.233 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% They are determined to win. 02:59.233 --> 03:03.433 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Rashed Alam, a longtime surfer himself, found the girls selling eggs and jewelry on the 03:03.433 --> 03:07.866 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% beach five years ago, and decided to train the girls to surf. 03:07.866 --> 03:11.666 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% He now looks after them as his own and runs a local surfer boys and girls club. 03:11.666 --> 03:13.933 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% RASHED ALAM, Founder, Surf Boys and Girls Club: They have freedom. 03:13.933 --> 03:15.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% They like have lots of things to do. 03:15.833 --> 03:18.033 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% They have life. 03:18.033 --> 03:19.666 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% What do women do in Bangladesh? 03:19.666 --> 03:23.033 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% They go get married and stay in home, like whole life as housewife. 03:23.033 --> 03:27.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Here, there are lots of things to do outside of home. 03:27.233 --> 03:28.666 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% Don't give up. 03:28.666 --> 03:30.266 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% Don't give up. 03:30.266 --> 03:32.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% What you are doing is an amazing job. 03:32.500 --> 03:34.233 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% You are promoting our country. 03:34.233 --> 03:38.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I just want to see a smile on their face. 03:38.533 --> 03:41.966 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% TANIA RASHID: Shoma's mother believes in empowering her daughter. 03:41.966 --> 03:46.133 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% WOMAN (through translator): My daughter surfs, and I am so happy. 03:46.133 --> 03:47.800 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% Our lives are functioning. 03:47.800 --> 03:51.533 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% If Allah blesses us, then my daughter will be very big surfer. 03:51.533 --> 03:56.466 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% She can surf for 40 or 50 years, surf well, and go to a foreign land. 03:56.466 --> 04:01.466 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: But this town has some of the highest rates of poverty in Bangladesh, and 04:02.333 --> 04:03.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% child marriage is rampant. 04:03.866 --> 04:07.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% One in three girls is being married under the age of 15. 04:07.500 --> 04:12.233 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% Baby Aktar, Sobe Meheraz's mother, a victim of child marriage herself, married off all 04:12.233 --> 04:14.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% her daughters at 13, except for Sobe Meheraz. 04:14.733 --> 04:19.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Since her husband, a drug addict, left, she's had to support her family alone. 04:20.900 --> 04:22.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% She is not so fond of her daughter's surfing. 04:22.966 --> 04:24.366 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% BABY AKTAR, Mother of Sobe Meheraz (through translator): If she had a job, it would be 04:24.366 --> 04:25.366 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% good for us. 04:25.366 --> 04:27.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I have so many illnesses. 04:27.033 --> 04:30.366 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I have no one to help me to get me medicine. 04:30.366 --> 04:33.200 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I just stay in the house all by myself. 04:33.200 --> 04:38.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% A woman should understand another woman's hardship, yes. 04:38.933 --> 04:40.433 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% She is also a woman. 04:40.433 --> 04:42.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% She is causing me a lot of pain, this daughter of mine. 04:42.700 --> 04:47.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz remains to be the only unmarried daughter in the family. 04:49.166 --> 04:51.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% When she's not surfing, she does her best to support her mother. 04:51.333 --> 04:55.833 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% Despite her mother's discouragement, Sobe Meheraz is determined to win the girls division 04:55.833 --> 04:57.833 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% at the annual competition. 04:57.833 --> 04:59.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% And today is the big day. 04:59.866 --> 05:03.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% She and the rest of the girls come one by one at 5:00 a.m. to begin prepping for the 05:03.700 --> 05:05.866 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% competition. 05:05.866 --> 05:10.333 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Now that I'm looking at the waves, it seems like that it might be difficult for you to 05:10.333 --> 05:11.800 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% surf. 05:11.800 --> 05:13.600 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Do you think you are going to be able to manage? 05:13.600 --> 05:15.533 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% WOMAN: Yes. 05:15.533 --> 05:20.066 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: Though crowds cheer on the girls, the stares linger. 05:22.066 --> 05:25.966 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Local Muslim onlookers are not very pleased watching the girls surf, including the religious 05:25.966 --> 05:28.433 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% men surrounding the area. 05:28.433 --> 05:32.566 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% Crowds gather to watch both the girls and boys prep to ride the waves. 05:32.566 --> 05:34.166 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% Local media is present. 05:34.166 --> 05:36.333 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): My name is Sobe Meheraz. 05:36.333 --> 05:38.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I give my salaam to everyone. 05:38.133 --> 05:40.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I'm happy I'm in the final. 05:40.033 --> 05:41.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% If I am first place, I will be happy. 05:41.733 --> 05:44.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And if my team members win, I will be really happy. 05:44.500 --> 05:49.500 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz and the girls wait nervously before they hit their last wave. 05:51.066 --> 05:52.500 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% The stakes are high. 05:52.500 --> 05:55.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Sobe Meheraz's friend, Shoma, also feels the pressure. 05:55.733 --> 05:58.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% SHOMA, Surfer (through translator): I'm really scared. 05:58.033 --> 06:00.133 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I'm very scared about my performance. 06:00.133 --> 06:01.666 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% Will I do well? 06:01.666 --> 06:02.666 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% The waves are bad. 06:02.666 --> 06:04.766 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I will be really happy if I win. 06:04.766 --> 06:06.466 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% It is my life's dream. 06:06.466 --> 06:09.966 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% TANIA RASHID: But the whistle blows, and they have to face the ocean. 06:09.966 --> 06:12.233 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% One by one, they each go as Rashed looks on. 06:12.233 --> 06:14.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% RASHED ALAM: I'm feeling like really happy now. 06:14.533 --> 06:16.500 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% I'm really happy. 06:16.500 --> 06:20.266 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% What I'm always looking for, always my dream, there, like, it's happening. 06:20.266 --> 06:24.233 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% TANIA RASHID: At a final ceremony, the winners are about to be awarded. 06:24.233 --> 06:28.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% The girls dance to pass time as all the mothers wait anxiously. 06:28.500 --> 06:33.500 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And after surfing into being in second place two years in a row, this year, Sobe Meheraz 06:34.233 --> 06:36.233 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% wins first prize. 06:36.233 --> 06:38.133 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): I didn't win twice, but I won this time. 06:38.133 --> 06:42.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% My name is Sobe Meheraz, 2017 champion. 06:42.966 --> 06:44.433 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% Champion! 06:44.433 --> 06:47.166 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I kept telling myself I'm not going to give up. 06:47.166 --> 06:49.433 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% When I went surfing, I said I can do this. 06:49.433 --> 06:54.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% At first, I did feel then I went for it and dived and became a champion. 06:54.000 --> 06:57.800 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: And she finally feels like she has won her mother's approval. 06:57.800 --> 07:02.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% SOBE MEHERAZ (through translator): My mom is so happy. 07:02.100 --> 07:06.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% She can tell everyone in our neighborhood: My daughter is the champion of 2017. 07:06.633 --> 07:11.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% TANIA RASHID: Sobe Meheraz plans on giving the money she won to help her family and donating 07:13.666 --> 07:17.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% her board to the surf club, so young girls can continue to learn to surf, just like her. 07:18.600 --> 07:22.633 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Tania Rashid in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.