Revolves around the adventures of a burka-clad teen girl, Jiya.

By Deepak Chitnis

WASHINGTON, DC: A Pakistani cartoon series entitled “Burka Avenger” has landed a Peabody Award for its work in advocating various social issues around the country.

“Burka Avenger” is a children’s cartoon that was initially launched in July of last year. The 13-episode series follows the adventures of Jiya, a young girl who puts on a burka – the traditional head-dressing of Muslim women, which covers their entire face and upper body but for their eyes – and becomes the Burka Avenger.

The series, which airs in Urdu, shows the Burka Avenger addressing social issues such as the treatment of women, political corruption, environmental causes, and even the Taliban (albeit discreetly) – a hugely progressive step for television of any kind in Pakistan, let alone just for children.

For that, the show was awarded at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards, which recognizes “Distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by television and radio stations, networks, producing organizations, individuals and the World Wide Web.”

Created in 1940 and named after businessman/philanthropist George Peabody, the organization is highly selective, choosing only 35 winners at most out of an applicant pool of more than 1,000.

In a press release, the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, which presents the award, lauded the show for its bravery in creating a discussion about important topics, all in the guise of an entertaining, colorful children’s cartoon.

“This engaging and provocative action-comedy cartoon has broken multiple boundaries with its undeniable social relevance,” said the release. “It’s the first Pakistani-produced program to win a Peabody Award, but more importantly, it sends a clear message about female empowerment and the importance of equal educational opportunities. “

In an interview with the organizers of the Peabody Awards, “Burka Avenger” creator Aaron Haroon Rashid explained that he came up with the idea for the character as someone who was “part Catwoman, part Muslim ideal.” Rashid said he was surprised that the reaction to the show was so positive, particularly within Pakistan.

“The show has been very well received in Pakistan and the press in Pakistan was also very positive,” he said. “Most of the news stories coming out of Pakistan are very negative so this was one of the rare positive stories. Pakistanis are proud that such a high quality animated show was produced here in Pakistan.”

Muslim girls are making strides in several forms of media. In addition to the rise of Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who was famously shot by the Taliban after crusading for educational reform in Pakistan, Marvel Comics has re-branded its signature Ms. Marvel character as a Muslim girl growing up in New York City.

In addition to being recognized with a Peabody Award, the “Burka Avengers” was also given the Rising Star Award in the animation category of the Canada International Film Festival. Jiya, the main character, was also named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential fictional characters of 2013.

The creators of “Burka Avenger” have made the first episode of the show available online for free. It can be viewed below (in Urdu with English subtitles):