Shamsia Hassani is a trailblazer in a country torn apart by war and religious extremism. A graffiti artist and a fine arts lecturer at Kabul University, Hassani wants to bring a different kind of change – by spray-painting her visions of a strong woman on the walls of Kabul city.

But this is not easy in a society where women face discrimination, violence and very limited participation in public spaces. Hassani’s artworks are breaking not just gender stereotypes but also bringing art into a society where many feel it is not allowed according to Islam.

The video above, titled Kabul’s Graffiti Master, delves into Hassani’s works, why she chose graffiti, and the difficulties she faces in daily life. She uses art as a “friendly way to fight with every kind of problem.”