Education
All topics-
Afghanistan
A brief history of Afghan women's rights
For over a century, Afghanistan's rulers and ethnic groups have been arguing about what women should do and how they should be. Women haven't had much say. By Manasi Gopalakrishnan
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Political correctness in the Gulf
Qatar's textbook spring-clean
With World Cup 2022 around the corner, Qatar has embarked on a campaign to clean up its school system. Distracting from grievous shortcomings in other areas by highlighting a willingness to reform on "soft" issues remains a stubborn trend across the Islamic world. By James M. Dorsey
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Middle East: Empowering women
Reform Jordan for full female equality
How can we expect Jordanian women to participate fully in political life if they know that they don’t enjoy the same legal status as their male counterparts, or the constitutional protections that allow them to play an equal role in building the state? By Marwan Muasher
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Taliban Afghanistan
Afghan girls attend "secret school"
After coming to power, the Islamist group imposed a ban on girls' education, prompting some Afghans to set up an underground school. Hussain Sirat and Ahmad Hakimi spoke to some of the girls who are determined to continue their studies
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Arab world
Arab youth: Aspirations for the New Year
Arab youth express their hopes and wishes for the New Year, spanning everything from civil and political rights, to education, to arts and culture. By Rafiah Al Talei
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COVID-19 pandemic in India
Enabling the rights of the child
COVID-19 has many negative impacts on children, particularly in terms of education and healthcare. Development projects in the Indian state of Assam show how actors can successfully support disadvantaged children in times of crisis. By Enakshi Dutta, Cynthia Dittmar and Franziska Muller
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Iranian economy
The causes of Iran's economic woes
Talks to salvage the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal have entered their eighth round in Vienna. Even if a deal is struck and some of the sanctions are lifted, the state of the Iranian economy is such that there can be little hope that any relief provided by a revived agreement will trickle down to the general population. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
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Terrorism in Pakistan
Afghan Taliban do little to stop Pakistan Taliban
The Pakistani Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, are regrouping and reorganising, with their leadership headquartered in neighbouring Afghanistan, according to a U.N. report from July. That is raising fears among Pakistanis of a return of the horrific violence the group once inflicted
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Women's rights in North Africa
"The headscarf is losing its religious edge"
Moroccan sociologist Fatima Sadiqi believes that women's movements in North Africa have changed over the past ten years. Today, women from all social classes are fighting together for more rights, regardless of whether they are "secular" or "Islamic" feminists. Claudia Mende spoke with her for Qantara.de
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Turkey-Africa summit
Erdogan scores "Made in Turkey" points
Ankara staged its third Turkey-Africa summit on 17 December, a sign of growing economic partnership under President Erdogan. Military co-operation is also a hot topic. Martina Schwikowski, Daniel Bellut and Pelin Unker have the details
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Middle East
Iraq: IS returnees met with tolerance – and distrust
In Iraq, returning families of IS fighters have to turn to local initiatives for help, as there is no official path home. Judit Neurink met with families on the ground
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Berlin's Human Rights Film Festival
Celebrating International Human Rights Day with outstanding documentaries
To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December, Berlin's Human Rights Film Festival is celebrating the 73rd birthday of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a series of film screenings and talks. Reserve your tickets now!