Stories about South Asia
Social media platforms in Sri Lanka briefly restricted amidst curfew and protests
Social media platforms in Sri Lanka, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Viber, have been restored after a 16-hour ban imposed to quell anti-government protests amidst the ongoing economic crisis.
Exploring the use of tech-based tools in India to curb dissent during protests
India is seeing the increased use of technology to monitor dissent and surveil dissenters, particularly protesters, which has a chilling effect on the freedom of expression.
The climate consequences for Nepal of the war in Ukraine
The Ukraine crisis is likely to sideline the climate goals of Nepal for the next few years; however, this may be an opportunity to phase out fossil fuels.
Unpacking India's struggle with recognizing same-sex marriage
Although India decriminalized consensual same-sex activity between adults in 2018, LGBTQ+ activists are still fighting for their rights because same-sex marriage is not recognized under Indian law.
Podcast: A crisis, a royal tour, and the pandemic's impact on disabled Latinas
Today we visit Jamaica and Sri Lanka, and then heard about Latinas in different parts of the world.
Shortages hit hard in Sri Lanka as citizens protest and the government seeks IMF bailout
Widespread shortages, such as fuel, gas, medicines, or even car parts triggered by higher prices and insufficient foreign currency for import are making everyday life miserable in Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh media accused of bias by Russia on Ukraine war coverage
The Russian ambassador to Bangladesh accused Bangladeshi media of taking a “biased approach” in their coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Undertones: Putin’s war emboldens promoters of a ‘United India’
Hindu nationalists are drawing parallels between the breakdown of the Soviet Union and the division of India after colonial rule.
Podcast: How the global south considers Russia's invasion of Ukraine
What do people in these regions think about Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Do they expect their governments to do something or not? What are the long-term impacts?
Nepal's transgender activist Bhumika Shrestha receives international recognition
Bhumika Shrestha received the 2022 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award from the US government in recognition of her work for the LGBTQ community of Nepal for the past 15 years.
Unearthing unknown details motivates me to write
Sanjib Chaudhary, a writer, blogger, translator and a Global Voices author, takes us on a journey from writing advertising copy to writing articles and fiction for a global audience.
This International Women’s Day, let’s come together against violence
This International Women’s Day, we must work together to make women equal in society, starting with being free from violence, with a global treaty for greater awareness and accountability.
What lies behind India’s silence on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
As a citizen of a postcolonial society, I sit uneasily with the implication that the whole world must immediately prioritize the goals and problems of the white West over their own.
First Mro language grammar book brings a ray of hope for the indigenous community
This year, the highlight of the International Mother Language Day in Bangladesh was the publication of the first grammar book written in Mro, an endangered indigenous language.
Nepalis flee Ukraine as Russians advance
As Russia invaded Ukraine, Nepali migrant workers ran for their lives. While some managed to get out to safety alive, the future is very uncertain for them.
Redefining identities: Land encroachment in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province
Trincomalee’s claim to being at the centrality of Sri Lanka’s pluralistic and multicultural identity continues to be re-interpreted as a place homogenous to one race, one religion, one ethnicity.
Undertones: How extremist Hindu nationalists use Instagram
See these examples of memes, photos, and videos on Instagram promoting electoral propaganda and violence as a means to create a Hindu state.
Hijab ban stirs protests in the Indian state of Karnataka
Protests have broken out in the southern state of Karnataka in India over the past months, after colleges in the state banned women students wearing hijabs from attending classes.
South Asia mourns the demise of the nightingale of India
Lata Mangeshkar was a darling of the masses and music directors alike; her career spanned seven decades of unadulterated melody across countries.
India's Mising tribe lives in traditional flood-resilient homes to adapt to climate change
The Mising community in the Indian state of Assam manage to survive in their unique and traditional flood-resilient housing system called chang ghar, perched above the ground on bamboo stilts.
Concerted attacks against Bangladeshi activists on Facebook
In a recent collaborative attack by unknown perpetrators, the Facebook profiles of several celebrities, journalists, media personalities and activists from Bangladesh were mysteriously turned into tribute profiles.
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