Stories about South Asia
Nepal's Sapana Roka Magar, who provides Hindu funeral rites for unclaimed bodies, listed in BBC's 100 Women of 2020
With COVID-19 disproportionally affecting homeless people in Nepalese cities, Sapana's work became vital to this vulnerable population, who are so often deprived of dignified funerals.
Pakistan to introduce tougher punishment for rape—including chemical castration
The laws address several aspects of the criminal process and include an expansion of the definition of rape, which was welcomed by activists. Other points, however, received mixed reactions.
Exemplary governance: Which countries should high-COVID nations follow?
"What seems clear is that global exemplars do not have to look the same in terms of political structures, incomes, or economic ideology."
In Pakistan, social media platforms risk bans under new ‘draconian’ rules
New rules vesting the government with the power to regulate online content and ban entire platforms drew criticism from human rights groups and tech companies.
Two white snakes, first of their species in the world, found in Nepal
Two white-coloured kraits (Bungarus), discovered during rescue calls in the Province 2, in the southeastern region of Nepal, are first recorded cases in their species in the world.
The pandemic in Bangladesh through the lens of its independent filmmakers
Global Voices spoke with Zuairijah Mou, the co-founder of Bangladeshi filmmaking collective Tong-Ghor Talkies, who have recently released a series of short films set in the context of the pandemic.
October – A bleak month for freedom of expression in Sri Lanka
This article offers a snapshot of challenges to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka during the month of October, 2020.
One young man's protest against Nepal's COVID-19 response
Nepalese activist Iih founded a social movement, went on hunger strikes, and walked 167 km to draw attention to Nepal's poor pandemic response -- as well as help those impacted...
Sora, an indigenous language from India, is getting a new typeface
Indian type designer Sony Salma has recently created a new typeface for the Sorang Sompeng, an old and little-used alphabet of the Sora.
Freedom in sight for Kaavan, ‘the world's loneliest elephant’
Animal rights activists have long highlighted the poor treatment and handling of the animals in Pakistan zoos.
Nepali literature lovers take respite from COVID-19 by celebrating Dashain with new books
"I'm ready to travel to places where I don’t need corona travel guidance and information. Hoping the pages will transport me to different time zones and destinations."
Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok with conditions
Pakistani social media users strongly reacted to the ban on TikTok and criticized the telecom regulator.
Indian ad featuring Hindu-Muslim family pulled after rightwing backlash
The advert by jewellery brand Tanishq shows a Hindu woman being led by her Muslim mother-in-law to a traditional Hindu baby shower.
Understanding pandemic fatigue
As we continue to struggle to maintain safety measures, it is important for us to shift from a culture of blaming to one that supports and leads with kindness.
A Kashmiri medical student paints on leaves to beat COVID-19 stress
Tabish Aijaz, a young medical student from Anantnag district in Kashmir, is using her natural ability to paint to beat the stress caused by exams and the COVID 19 pandemic.
Facebook denies accusations of fuelling hate speech and pro-BJP bias in India
On September 16, Facebook India’s chief issued a statement denying accusations that the social media giant is making profits by giving a platform to hate speech in India.
Child activist Licypriya Kangujam leads India's movement against climate change
A young girl hailing from Manipur, India, is making a bid to save planet Earth by spreading awareness and calling for collective accountability.
Policing the digital frontiers: Is India weaponizing technology to silence civil society?
In the world's largest democracy, the targeting of human rights defenders through spyware poses a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and privacy.
Hunger-striking surgeon struggles to reform Nepal's inadequate health care system
Activist and former senior surgeon Dr. Govinda KC has begun his 19th hunger strike in protest over Nepal's poor public health care and medical education systems.
BJP-led Assam state in India criticized for failed promises ahead of elections
The BJP was elected in the rural state in 2016 on promises to create jobs and clean up corruption. Four years on, the government faces shortcomings on both fronts.
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