Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Exclusive: Laura Bush on 'America Live'

Details

  • Description

    Former first lady speaks out on women's rights in Afghanistan, Taliban

  • Duration 6:46
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Yesterday morning I had the unique opportunities sit down with former First Lady Laura Bush for an exclusive interview in Dallas Texas.

The topic a fifteen year old Pakistan -- girl while while I use of site.

She was shot in the head and in the neck by the Taliban.

Targeted because of her efforts to promote girls' education something they -- tests.

Wallace -- the attack miraculously.

And is being treated at a British hospital.

Now the former First Lady.

Offering a tribute to -- -- Saying her struggle offers a chance for the United States of America to show leadership.

In the Taliban's war on women.

So in the lawless situation this little girl.

Now we're told she was actually fifteen when it happened she was shot in the head.

On her way to school and the reason she was shot is because of her advocacy.

For education for young girls -- That was the price the Taliban felt she needed to pay that this was just the latest in a string.

Of literally hundreds upon hundreds of Taliban atrocities we've seen just recently.

-- -- -- -- Well obviously when the spotlight turned on Afghanistan after the September 11.

Terrorist attacks.

Every -- in the United States turned to see what the Taliban at the price that women especially had to pay.

With the government that the Taliban in Afghanistan and in that case it was girls were forbidden to go to school.

And women couldn't leave their house is without a male escort and -- -- -- widows in Afghanistan because -- there years war before it man.

And so women were virtually isolated they conducted -- doctor.

If they were say they really just couldn't leave their homes but what sense is that we still see -- we still see these atrocities.

And their broad they're not just in Afghanistan anymore this little girl on the -- -- in Pakistan.

And she had a a blog with the BBC and urging her language that talked about a half she wanted to go to school.

And win the Taliban moved in that the Swat Valley in Pakistan where she -- As they started blowing up girls schools.

They decreed that girls on that certain day girls could no longer go to school.

And said she had a block.

-- talked about it how she wouldn't Wear her school uniforms when she went to school -- she didn't want to be identified as a student.

And that could she was a bright but she continued to talk about it through this plot and she was targeted because of -- As she got on her school class.

And a member of the Taliban walked -- and ask somebody you know -- -- And they pointed to her and they shot in the hand -- in the neck.

-- been so many examples of this brutality but it it took the courage.

Other than eleven year old girl with a start that lying about what they were doing it -- To begin.

What maybe at sea change.

Well -- that's what I hoped that would be the real silver lining there isn't near the good could come this terrible atrocity.

Girls and women in -- -- are protesting in Pakistan now.

There also I had signs that say I am.

The prime minister Pakistan spoke happened said a lot like this my daughter.

Every one -- hit a lot of people in.

Experience I think the irony that we would happen if in an effort to stunt her first -- New community education and then silence her by attempting to murder her.

They actually wound up amplifying her voice to a point that would be beyond even a lot of wildest expectation that's right and that's what I hope happens.

And I hope that governments and people in leadership positions worldwide will speak -- About it's.

About the example this little girl said because so often even here in this country when it comes to.

Did domestic struggles were -- having what -- people feel powerless.

Here we have.

One child.

The little girl who could be less empowered in that region of the world an eleven year old girl time -- blogging.

And now she's fifteen -- recovering from gunshot wounds and making a difference.

And she hands.

She really has -- there a lesson is that analytical and I think our list and is it to everyone -- worldwide.

At that we do need to have the courage to speak.

And she was speaking that in a place where he really did you have to have courage.

Her family could be targeted her father who was an educator there is an educator could have been targeted and not me.

Still he returned home and you wrote in your -- -- speaking out is not enough we must improve their world.

How.

Well I think there are a lot of ways we -- Did in their mini -- examples already of people trying to do that worldwide Americans and many other.

Nationalities as well as through the bush institute that -- is part of the bush library in -- in the Georgian building here and now it's.

We are focusing on women's issues.

Whole women's program and we -- bringing wind and from the Middle East were in most teaching women in.

The Middle East and in North Africa.

To the United States in and then tore ship program ballots yet.

Program.

With the at the end that if we bring women -- from the same country.

And they'll know each other when they got back to their country and they'll start to be able to build a network.

When -- -- credible -- someday you had a Malone you know remember everything would be great.

And we have got a report today that not only is -- Wallace condition improving.

She said -- to be in stable condition and she has stood up for the first time.

But that nine people have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Search for the main suspect continues something's happening in Pakistan right now they had embraced the Taliban.

And this case is caused such national outrage.

That even the Taliban sympathizers there are starting to pay attention and perhaps perhaps -- this group.

-- to whom they provided such shelter in a different light.

This little girl story is not just about a little girl it is about Pakistan it is about the Taliban.

And it is about.

Radicalism.

In that part of the country something we've been hearing a lot about in this country recently.

We'll bring you more on this story as we get and we want to again extend our sincerest thanks to the former First Lady Laura Bush and -- the bush instituted for the good work it is doing.

But to the First Lady for sharing her thoughts on this teenagers incredible story.

Load More