Gender
All topics-
Medica Afghanistan
Fighting sexual violence
In April 2002, the German women′s rights organisation medica mondiale began a new project in Afghanistan: Medica Afghanistan. It is the only organisation in the country that offers psychosocial and trauma-sensitive counselling to women who have survived violence. By Mechthild Buchholz
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Egyptian photographer Heba Khalifa in interview
"A space for confronting our fears"
Heba Khalifa is an Egyptian photographer and fine artist. Her current project "Homemade" is supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and the Magnum Foundation. Islam Anwar interviewed the artist in Cairo
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Gay artists revisit Berlin-Istanbul relations
Queer forms migrate
While heightened political tensions between Turkey and Europe grab the world's attention, an exhibition at Berlin's Schwules Museum refreshingly highlights the gay community's links to Istanbul. Report by Jan Tomes
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The rise of right-wing populism in Europe
A continent divided
The rise of right-wing populism is throwing Europe off-balance. The impacts on policies concerning migration, inclusion and asylum are already evident. In many European countries, right-wing propaganda is calling into question achievements such as the freedom of religion, free movement for EU citizens and the right of asylum. By Daniel Bax
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Film review: "Aligarh"
Sensitive portrait of a tragic story
A film about the fate of a gay professor at India's renowned Aligarh University highlights the country's difficult relationship with homosexuality. Marian Brehmer watched the drama
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Gender equality in the Middle East
To the benefit of all
Achieving gender equality in the Middle East will be a long process, requiring fundamental educational, social and economic reforms. But giving women the right training now can kick-start the process, writes Arib Ali Al-Mandhari
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Marital traditions in the Islamic world
Marriage first, love later?
The number of arranged marriages in the Middle East and North Africa is decreasing. Matrimony between cousins is still widespread, but matches of this kind now account for at most a quarter of all weddings. A growing number of young people find their partners without mediation; marriage for love is their ideal. By Martina Sabra
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Pakistani film ″Dukhtar″
Arthouse with a conscience
Afia Nathaniel's first full-length feature film "Dukhtar", has been enjoying a great deal of success on the international festival circuit – and causing quite a stir in her home country too. By Marian Brehmer
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Mohim: the myth-busting menstruation app
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″Angry Indian Goddesses″
Fighting back
You don′t expect a film about seven young women getting together for a hen-party the night before a wedding to turn out to be a moving political statement concerning equal rights and sexual freedom. But the Indian film ″Angry Indian Goddesses″ is exactly that: a hilarious and entertaining story about seven girls and, at the same time, a bold and loud outcry against sexual harassment and rape – still all too common in India. By Sheila Mysorekar
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Kurdish film-maker Ali Kemal Cinar
The power of tenacity
The Kurdish filmmaker Ali Kemal Cinar from Diyarbakir caused a small sensation when his zero-budget production "Vesarti (Hidden)" won him the 2016 Most Inspiring Director of the Year award at the !f Independent Film Festival in Istanbul. With his experimental, absurdly comic films, Cinar represents a new way of thinking in Kurdish filmmaking. By Sonja Galler
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Denmark′s first women-only mosque
Papa, don't preach
Born in Denmark to a Syrian father and a Finnish mother, Sherin Khankan, the well-known author and political commentator has started a new mosque in Copenhagen. The Mariam Mosque is led entirely by women imams. By Sadho Ram