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From Our Own Correspondent: Questions for the Taliban

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13/05/2023 GMT

Questions for the Taliban

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Questions for the Taliban

What it's like questioning the Taliban about their policies on women as a woman yourself?

Questioning the Taliban as a female reporter; the mortal dangers faced by Mexico's priests; the Tibetan monastery in exile; and foraging seaweed on one of Europe's richest beaches

Pascale Harter introduces stories from BBC correspondents and reporters in Afghanistan, Mexico, India and the island of Jersey. 

Since retaking power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has increasingly restricted the lives of Afghan women, issuing decrees limiting their access to universities, secondary schools, public spaces and work. Yogita Limaye says there are vital questions to be asked of the Taliban. But what's it like challenging them when you’re a female reporter?

Young Mexicans preparing to join the priesthood don't only have to struggle with matters of mortal sin. They are also often sent to serve in communities controlled by Mexico's drug cartels, where violence is an everyday risk. Will Grant spoke to some of the men who know the deadly dangers they will face, ministering in 'cartel land'.

We visit one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism, exiled on the hot, palm-tree-fringed plains of Karnataka in southern India. The Tashi Lhunpo monastery in exile was founded in 1972. Its spiritual leader, the Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, was detained by China almost 30 years ago, when he was just six years old, and hasn't been seen since. And as Simon Broughton discovered on a visit there,  the monks still leave food out for him in case he should ever return. 

And finally the Island of Jersey, which lies in the English Channel off the coasts of Britain and France, has a booming offshore finance industry and a reputation as a haven for the super rich. But as Christine Finn has been finding out, there are still those on the island who follow older, frugal ways. On one of Jersey's beaches, she meets a couple who give her a lesson in foraging seaweed for fertiliser, and how to get lobster cut price.

Producer: Louise Hidalgo
Production coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

(Photo by SHAFIULLAH KAKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

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