Stories about Development from December, 2016
A Year of Violence in Bangladesh
Groups linked to ISIS, Ansar Al Islam or Ansarullah Bangla Team have claimed responsibility for violent attacks on intellectuals and regular citizens. What does this mean for the future?
This Was Also the Year of Citizen Heroes in Latin America
Global Voices reviews the Latin American stories in 2016 that taught us about fighting back.
In 2016, These YouTube Channels From India Offered Meaningful Content
YouTube India is not all songs, pranks or cat videos.
Classic Christmas Carols, Satirically Reimagined as Songs About Hong Kong Politics
To the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas: "Causeway Bay’s boss bought a banned book. He was then arrested, convicted, forced to apologize and escorted to the Shenzhen police station."
For a Limited Time, Croatians Get Free Access to a Digital Library of 100,000 Books
Not in Croatia? The Croatia Reads app also offers people outside the country Croatian books free of charge.
Google Mapping of Public Toilets Is the Latest Effort to Stop Open Defecation in India
"It would be naive to think Google’s efforts will change attitudes and rectify India’s sanitation troubles altogether, especially since nearly 900 million Indians don’t have access to the internet..."
Breaking a Four-Century Custom That Denied Women Temple Entry in India
"If we all have equal rights and freedom then why such restrictions on women?"
Kenya Internet Report Charts Increases in Access, E-Commerce and Arrests of Bloggers
Internet penetration is up and blogs are increasingly popular – for readers and writers alike. But arrests of bloggers and online journalists are increasing too.
Is Nepal No Country for Women?
Nepal's constitution has failed to bring equality to the country's women, but human rights advocates haven't given up.
Remembering Castro’s Commitment to Healthcare and Beating Ebola in Africa
Political leaders and citizens worldwide have reacted in different ways to the recent passing Fidel Castro, and Cuba and Africa were closest on healthcare.
Controversial Legislation in Bangladesh Highlights the Complexity of Child Marriage
"Civil society easily can see child marriage but is blind to the fact why it happens. When there is development in society...child marriages will fall. We need time for that."
Vietnamese Court Upholds Jail Sentence for Land Rights Activist
"The Vietnamese government should urgently amend the land law and its grievance processes to protect farmers’ rights."
A Bangladeshi Railway Employee Saves a Man, Finally Gets Recognition
"The world seems better and nicer because of acts of a few brave and earnest people. My respect to Gateman Billal for his act of humanity."
