This Friday, international speaker and acclaimed marathoner Martin Parnell will be providing insight into his involvement in The Secret Marathon that was held to empower women and girls in Afghanistan through sport.

He'll also be providing some information on what has happened since the Taliban were returned to power in a country known for its political chaos and female oppression.

Parnell is the guest speaker for the Nov. 12 session of the Cochrane Ideas Zoom meeting that begins at 7 p.m. It's open to all interested people.  It can be accessed starting at 6:30 p.m.

"It's going to be my story about how I ended up going to Afghanistan in 2016 and running a marathon in support of women and girls there who run for freedom and equality," explains Parnell.

When the first Afghan woman stood up for her freedom and ran in the Marathon of Afghanistan in 2015, she started a movement for equality that spread around the world. Zainab’s story inspired Parnell to imagine what his life might be like if his gender prevented him from going outside to run.

"During her training, she had to endure verbal and physical abuse just for running. I just couldn't believe it," he says. "She ended up going into her walled backyard, and she ran around and around training for that marathon."

Parnell was recovering from a life-threatening blood clot on his brain when he read an article on Zainab.

"I was just so upset that a woman would be abused for running, so I decided to head over there. My story is about my trip over there, and meeting with these women and girls who love running but have to do it in secret."

During the presentation, he'll also give updates on the situation.

"It's changing by the day, in terms of what's happening with the Taliban, and with women and girls over there. It's not a particularly good picture, but I'll answer the questions to the best of my ability."

Cochrane Ideas promotes the exchange of knowledgeable and rigorous positions on a wide range of subjects. Guest speakers and discussions over the years have focused on economic, social, environmental, political, historical, biographical, creative, artistic, personal, gender-based, religious, and spiritual topics.

An open, robust, and engaging discussion follows presentations.

Visit here for more information on how to participate this Friday.