The New York Times: To escape an abusive marriage, Wida Saghari struggled for five years to finalize a divorce. When it was done, she thought, finally, she could get some peace. Instead, she had stepped into a different kind of hell. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) on Tuesday said that Afghan women are still grappling with major challenges including domestic violence, multiple forms of discrimination and mistreatment outside their homes. According to the AIHRC, women in some regions of the country are still denied their basic rights and are treated as commodities. Click
Washington Post: Everyone knows that a young woman named Farkhunda was attacked outside the shrine after being falsely accused of burning a Koran, then dragged along the river road by a frenzied mob that bludgeoned and stoned her to death, ran her over with a car and set her body on fire. The white obelisk, unveiled
IWPR: Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death for women in Afghanistan after maternal mortality. But there is little public awareness around the issue, including encouraging women to be vigilant for signs which include breast lumps, swelling, changes in colour or texture and a nipple that is inverted or bleeding. There are
AFP: There are just 30 pools in Afghanistan, only one which welcomes girls — and it is facing militant threats for doing so. Nevertheless a handful are diving in, pioneers racing to achieve Olympic glory in Tokyo. The story of the 25-year-old coach and head of the newly created Women’s Swimming Committee, Elena Saboori, epitomises the struggle
Tolo News: President Ashraf Ghani has ordered the appointment of Nargis Nehan as the minister of mines and petroleum. “In line with provisions of paragraph 11 of article 64 of the constitution, the nomination and appointment of Nargis Nehan as minister of mines and petroleum is approved,” part of the presidential order reads. Click here to
DW: A group of women meet in a park in Mazar-i-Sharif to go jogging. To help protect the women against attacks, the area is closed off to other visitors during training. Many in Afghanistan object to women doing sports in public. Click here to view video (external link).
Tolo News: Afghanistan’s National Cricket has defeated Ireland by 30 runs in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Greater Noida in India on Wednesday. Click here to read more (external link). The Guardian (UK): Khalida Popal was the face of women’s football in Afghanistan but had to flee because of death threats. Now Popal is living in
IWPR: Women say they face unremitting harassment in the public sphere. Najla, a 20-year old undergraduate at a private university in Kabul province, is contemplating giving up her degree. She says that continuous sexual harassment on campus has made it nearly impossible to continue with her political science studies. Click here to read more (external link).
Reuters: Nike will launch a hijab for female Muslim athletes early next year, becoming the first major sports apparel maker to offer a traditional Islamic head scarf designed specifically for competition, the company said on Wednesday. The head covering, marketed under the “Pro Hijab” brand, is designed to allow athletes to observe the traditional Islamic practice