A Better Life Through Reality TV?
Afghanistan’s economy is getting a boost from a very unlikely source — Reality TV. In a new show called “Fikr wa Talash," or “Dream and Achieve,” Afghan entrepreneurs propose new business ideas to a panel of local business leaders, who award winners with up to $20,000. According to the International Herald Tribune, the show is wildly popular, and its creators hope that its success will help foster entrepreneurial growth all over Afghanistan.
Not only could the show popularize entrepreneurial spirit in one of the world's poorest countries, but it also shows promise for promoting gender equality. Two of the top five finalists in “Fikr wa Talash” are women entrepreneurs — a new concept in a country that only permitted women to work seven years ago.
It will be interesting to see if the viewing power of Reality TV, a traditionally tawdry genre in the U.S., can be successfully harnessed for social and economic benefit elsewhere.
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Equality & Opportunity for All
In countries such as Afghanistan, where gender equality has been lacking for too long, entrepreneurship is an important way of providing women methods of gaining economic independence and a sense of identity. Women in Afghanistan should be empowered through financial opportunities that will enable them to become financially independent in an environment where they are highly dependent on their male counterparts. Basic human rights such as, education will enable them to find opportunities in the work force and gain the knowledge and experience to help them dictate their own futures. Furthermore, Afghani men should be educated in understanding the purpose of giving women such opportunities and how increased gender equality will bring prosperous advances for their families and the country as well.
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