Afghan women face severe obstacles in sports under Taliban rule. Samira Asghari, one of the youngest members of the International Olympic Committee, is calling for renewed opportunities for girls in Afghanistan. She argues that real change can only happen through dialogue with the Taliban, even if that seems difficult. Asghari believes sports should begin at [...]
Violence in Niger has grown sharply since the 2023 military coup, leaving many communities unprotected from terrorist attacks. On June 20, terrorists linked to the Islamic State killed 70 people praying at a mosque in Manda, with only a few survivors who escaped by pretending to be dead. Across the country, nearly 1,700 people have [...]
Women in Afghanistan are facing very hard and dangerous conditions. Since the Taliban took power again in 2021, women’s rights have been taken away step by step. Girls are not allowed to attend most schools, and women are banned from many jobs and public places. Many are forced to stay at home and depend completely [...]
The kafala system in Lebanon is a sponsorship system that controls migrant workers, especially domestic workers. Under this system, a worker’s legal status depends entirely on their employer. Workers cannot change jobs or leave the country without the employer’s permission. Many employers take advantage of this power by withholding wages, keeping passports, or forcing workers [...]
Saudi Arabia has secret places called Dar al-Reaya, which are supposed to help women who are seen as disobedient or breaking moral rules. But these places are more like prisons, where young women can be held for years without seeing their families or getting legal help. They need a male guardian’s permission for release. Many [...]
Tajikistan has launched a new hotline to assist victims of domestic violence. This shows an important effort to protect women and families. The Committee on Women and Family Affairs runs the hotline, which has been operational for over two months. People can call for free legal advice and psychological support if they experience abuse, housing [...]
Türkiye’s first major survey on violence against women in ten years shows that many women still face serious abuse. The 2024 study interviewed over 18,000 women and found that nearly 3 in 10 experienced psychological violence, while others faced economic, physical, or even digital abuse. Divorced and less-educated women were the most affected, and younger [...]
A deadly earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on August 31, killing an estimated 2,200 and leveling more than 5,000 houses, with Kunar province worst affected. Whole villages were destroyed as mud and wood buildings crumbled, entombing villagers. Thousands of survivors are currently sheltering in improvised camps, exposed to cold and other conditions. Women experience additional difficulties [...]
On August 15, 2025, thousands of men in Kabul celebrated the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power by watching flowers being dropped from helicopters. Women were banned from attending the event, as they are not allowed in many public places. The Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, and have since enforced [...]
Domestic violence in Tajikistan is rising. In the first six months of 2025, officials reported 2,121 cases, 277 more than in the same period in 2024. Most incidents involved women (1,763 cases), an increase of 256. Men experienced 251 cases, which is actually fewer than before. Sadly, 102 women and 30 underage girls died by [...]
