Original version

BBC World Service News Internet

From Our Own Correspondent

News

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

From Our Own Correspondent: Afghanistan: girls' education in the balance

Magazines & Reviews

Afghan shoolgirl Sakina

26/03/2022 GMT

Afghanistan: girls' education in the balance

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Afghanistan: girls' education in the balance

Classrooms close to Afghan girls; tales from Ukraine, the West Bank & Gaza and Martinique

The Taliban delay Afghan girls' return to class; Ukraine triggers memories of another war; the Palestinian economic crisis threatening cancer care, and a Martinican soldier's life

Pascale Harter introduces despatches from BBC correspondents and writers around the world.

Over the last week in Afghanistan, girls of age to attend secondary school have – again – been sent home from classes. Many were were looking forward to getting back into their lessons on Wednesday. It was scheduled to be their first day back since the Taliban told them to go home - and stay there - when the movement retook control of the country in August 2020. But things didn't play out as expected. Secunder Kermani joined some of the pupils hoping to crack open their books again… only to be devastated at the Taliban’s decision.

President Vladimir Putin has argued that Russia's aim in Ukraine is to rescue the Russian-speaking people there, making false claims about their ‘oppression’ by the government in Kiev Official statements from the Kremlin have argued that Ukraine is not a country – but an historical part of Russia. But as the Russian invasion enters its second month, it seems to be unifying rather than dividing Ukrainians under their flag - no matter what language they speak. Nick Sturdee is just back after three weeks filming the country's descent into war.

International observers are increasingly worried that a cash-strapped Palestinian Authority could face financial collapse.  The Palestinian economy – long stagnating – has crumbled further during the pandemic and following a decline in international aid. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund described the fiscal outlook as “dire”, against a backdrop of persistently high unemployment and poverty. Meanwhile vital access to healthcare is being affected. Yolande Knell finds that some cancer patients' treatment is now at risk. 

The Caribbean island of Martinique has an intimate, yet conflicted, relationship with France, the former colonial power. Martinicans are full French citizens; their home island is one of the outermost regions of the European Union – using the euro, and French-style road signs. These days it has a special, semi-autonomous status, though there are some calls for full independence. What does it mean to put your life on the line for a country which hasn’t always paid you respect in return? Lindsay Johns reflects on a man who was a beloved father figure to him - a soldier from Martinique, who fought proudly for France , even while feeling the occasional sting of French prejudice himself.

Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer: Polly Hope

Photo: A pupil in Kabul weeps after girls' secondary classes were not restarted as planned on Weds 23 March 2022. (c) BBC

Accessibility links

Programme Index

From Our Own Correspondent

Afghanistan: girls' education in the balance

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service News Internet

About BBC World Service