How artists and innovators effect change through the universal language of creativity. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/culture/rss en Culture Gender-Based Violence Wed, 01 Nov 2017 13:57:12 +0000 Angelika Albaladejo https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/01/street-artists-challenge-sexism-with-spray-paint-in-colombias-cities https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/01/street-artists-challenge-sexism-with-spray-paint-in-colombias-cities Female street artists in Colombia are using the once male-dominated art form to challenge preconceptions about gender and race, and combat violence against women. Culture Solutions Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:16:05 +0000 James McLaughlin, Priti Salian https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/10/daughters-of-mumbais-sex-workers-take-to-the-stage-at-edinburgh-fringe https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/10/daughters-of-mumbais-sex-workers-take-to-the-stage-at-edinburgh-fringe In Lal Batti Express, women and girls from India’s red-light districts share their experiences of trauma and healing. Now they’re taking their stories to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time. Culture Education Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:48:53 +0000 Tahmina Saleem https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/02/photo-essay-the-afghan-mother-singing-her-way-back-to-school https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/02/photo-essay-the-afghan-mother-singing-her-way-back-to-school Humaira Sabawoon was already breaking the rules of Afghan society when she decided to enrol at university as a mature student. But by studying music, Humaira Sabawoon also took on a taboo left behind by the Taliban. Culture Health Mon, 24 Jul 2017 12:24:37 +0000 Evelyn Lirri https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/24/hiv-positive-artist-fights-shame-with-art-made-from-empty-drug-bottles https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/24/hiv-positive-artist-fights-shame-with-art-made-from-empty-drug-bottles Artist Barbara Kemigisa knows the dangers of not sticking to an antiretroviral drug regime. And she’s spreading the message with sculptures made of empty pill bottles, some of them her own. Culture Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:27:07 +0000 Wadia Samadi https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/24/the-fashion-startup-celebrating-afghanistans-stylish-legacy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/24/the-fashion-startup-celebrating-afghanistans-stylish-legacy Kabul used to be a fashion hotspot, but decades of war destroyed much of the country’s once-vibrant clothing culture. Now with her new label Laman, a young Afghan entrepreneur wants to bring back her country’s stylish reputation. Culture Fri, 14 Jul 2017 08:51:10 +0000 Karen Dias https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/14/wrestling-against-prejudice-and-poverty-in-india https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/14/wrestling-against-prejudice-and-poverty-in-india The Indian state of Haryana is known for its tradition of wrestling, but for a long time girls were forbidden to compete. Now a new generation of female wrestlers are standing up to society’s prejudices to show they can hold their own in the sport. Crisis and Conflict Culture Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:07:16 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/06/07/journalists-challenge-syrian-media-to-improve-gender-coverage-in-war https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/06/07/journalists-challenge-syrian-media-to-improve-gender-coverage-in-war The Syrian Female Journalists’ Network was founded to ensure better coverage of gender issues and better representation of women in newsrooms in the midst of the country’s protracted conflict. Milia Eidmouni tells News Deeply how they do it. Culture Minority Rights Solutions Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:51:06 +0000 Siobhán O’Grady https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/01/at-ugandas-mama-fm-women-journalists-rule-the-airwaves https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/01/at-ugandas-mama-fm-women-journalists-rule-the-airwaves Men dominate the Ugandan journalism industry, but one radio station hopes to change that, employing only women in management positions, and putting voices on the air that would not otherwise be heard. Culture Gender-Based Violence Thu, 27 Apr 2017 05:00:24 +0000 Jillian Kestler-D’Amours https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/27/graphic-novel-shares-immigrant-womens-stories-of-violence-and-hope https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/27/graphic-novel-shares-immigrant-womens-stories-of-violence-and-hope In Canada, dozens of immigrant women have coauthored a graphic novel about sexual violence. Since their immigration status is often linked to their relationship status, immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence. Culture Heroes Tue, 18 Apr 2017 12:01:39 +0000 Alexandra Bradford https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/04/18/afghanistans-first-female-conductor-braves-death-threats-to-make-music https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/04/18/afghanistans-first-female-conductor-braves-death-threats-to-make-music Negin Khpalwak has had to risk her life to become Afghanistan’s first female orchestra conductor. But she says it’s worth it – not only for the music, but also because she’s inspiring other Afghan women to assert their rights. Culture Education Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:42:46 +0000 Ruth Carr https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/04/ma-thida-want-public-apology-people https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/04/ma-thida-want-public-apology-people For surgeon and author Ma Thida, writing is what drives her political activism and her fight for education. When it led to her being thrown in jail for 20 years, however, she used the experience as fuel for a searing memoir. Crisis and Conflict Culture Fri, 04 Nov 2016 06:39:49 +0000 Farah https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/04/days-damascus-letter-friend https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/04/days-damascus-letter-friend Farah is a young woman living in Syria’s capital city, where she faces the daily struggles of trying to maintain a normal social and professional life in a country being ripped apart by war. Culture Gender-Based Violence Solutions Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:48:47 +0000 Elspeth Dehnert https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/01/jordans-female-taxi-drivers-crash-stereotypes https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/01/jordans-female-taxi-drivers-crash-stereotypes A group of women in Jordan are defying gender roles for a career on the road. While it’s not easy working in a male-dominated sector, the country’s female taxi drivers are willing to challenge the naysayers in order to do the job they love. Culture Wed, 26 Oct 2016 13:32:54 +0000 Kamille Viola https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/26/mc-soffia-12-year-old-brazilian-girl-fights-racism-rap https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/26/mc-soffia-12-year-old-brazilian-girl-fights-racism-rap Tween rapper MC Soffia, breakout star of the Rio Olympics opening ceremony, may sing about dolls and dreadlocks, but her message to young black girls in Brazil is serious: “When a black person suffers, we all suffer.” Culture Heroes Minority Rights Mon, 24 Oct 2016 07:20:20 +0000 Charlotte Alfred https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/24/death-new-life-teen-fled-syria-wheelchair https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/24/death-new-life-teen-fled-syria-wheelchair Nujeen Mustafa didn’t realize fleeing from Syria to Europe in a wheelchair would be considered extraordinary. Now in Germany, she has written a book about her journey. Speaking to Refugees Deeply, she says she hopes the attention will demonstrate that refugees are more than numbers. Crisis and Conflict Culture Fri, 30 Sep 2016 08:02:12 +0000 Mat Nashed https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/30/bashar-al-assad-should-look-at-this-painting-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/30/bashar-al-assad-should-look-at-this-painting-2 Syrian artist Leila Said Hassou discusses the question that inspired her paintings in her first art exhibition in Turkey: What is at the root of extraordinary, sometimes incomprehensible, violence? Crisis and Conflict Culture Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:21:50 +0000 Farah https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/28/my-days-in-damascus-leaving-the-belly-of-the-whale-part-1-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/28/my-days-in-damascus-leaving-the-belly-of-the-whale-part-1-2 Farah is a young woman living in Syria’s capital city, where she faces the daily struggles of trying to maintain a normal social and professional life in a country being ripped apart by war. Culture Economic Independence Fri, 02 Sep 2016 12:53:09 +0000 Wadia Samadi https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/02/escaping-the-talibans-legacy-with-a-trip-to-the-movies https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/09/02/escaping-the-talibans-legacy-with-a-trip-to-the-movies The opening of a family movie theater in Kabul means women can watch films in public for the first time in two decades. For many living under Afghan society’s oppressive rules, the Galaxy Family Cinema isn’t just about films – it means a few hours of freedom. Crisis and Conflict Culture Mon, 08 Aug 2016 05:16:18 +0000 Saleem al-Omar https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/08/08/the-plight-of-syrias-star-crossed-lovers-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/08/08/the-plight-of-syrias-star-crossed-lovers-2 Syrian women living in the government-controlled province of Latakia must decide between love and danger if they are to marry the men of their choosing – especially if those men live in opposition-held areas of Syria. Culture Wed, 27 Jul 2016 11:31:07 +0000 Sonia Narang https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/27/an-exiled-afghan-soccer-star-keeps-women-in-the-game https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/27/an-exiled-afghan-soccer-star-keeps-women-in-the-game As the outspoken captain of Afghanistan’s first national women’s soccer team, Khalida Popal faced threats to her life and her family. Her advocacy for women’s rights forced her to flee to Denmark, where she keeps working to get girls playing. Culture Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:31:54 +0000 Kamille Viola https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/19/brazils-new-wave-of-filmmakers-tackles-racism https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/19/brazils-new-wave-of-filmmakers-tackles-racism Even though the majority of Brazil’s female population is black, Brazilian cinema is still dominated by white talent. A new generation of filmmakers is bringing Brazil’s black female experience to the big screen. Culture Politics and Policy Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:00:55 +0000 Flora Bagenal https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/19/life-after-nigerias-failed-gender-equality-law https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/19/life-after-nigerias-failed-gender-equality-law In March, Nigerian senators rejected a bill proposing a new gender equality law, citing religious reasons. Author Lola Shoneyin says the move is a blow to women’s rights, but the younger generation could turn things around. Culture Health Fri, 08 Jul 2016 13:16:25 +0000 Christine Chung https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/08/why-more-mothers-dont-breastfeed-their-babies https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/08/why-more-mothers-dont-breastfeed-their-babies From barely regulated marketing to a lack of healthcare services, there are many factors that make it difficult for mothers in developing countries to breastfeed their babies. The solution, say experts, requires more than just saying “breast is best.” Crisis and Conflict Culture Politics and Policy Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:16:28 +0000 Flora Bagenal https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/24/britains-sharia-courts-under-scrutiny https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/24/britains-sharia-courts-under-scrutiny Rights activists say the religious councils work as a parallel legal system that discriminates against women. But supporters say they simply offer guidance on Islamic law and often help women escape abusive marriages. Crisis and Conflict Culture Solutions Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:09:02 +0000 Wadia Samadi https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/21/afghan-women-break-taboos-to-report-their-stories https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/21/afghan-women-break-taboos-to-report-their-stories In Afghanistan, media coverage of women’s issues is often left to foreigners and men. But a new journalism program is giving Afghan women the skills and connections to tell their own stories to the world. Culture Politics and Policy Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:04:45 +0000 Jodi Hilton https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2016/06/14/refugee-mothers-and-daughters-seek-reunion-in-e-u https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2016/06/14/refugee-mothers-and-daughters-seek-reunion-in-e-u Before police cleared the Idomeni refugee camp in Greece last month, photographer Jodi Hilton met girls like Zeyneb, 13, waiting to reunite with their mothers who had already made it to Europe. Hilton’s photos tell their stories. Culture Education Thu, 09 Jun 2016 14:17:43 +0000 Gemma Newby https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/09/reaching-and-teaching-ethiopias-girls-through-tv https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/09/reaching-and-teaching-ethiopias-girls-through-tv Whiz Kids Workshop has captured the imagination of Ethiopia’s young people with its innovative TV and radio shows. The company’s Tinbit Daniel explains how they’re helping improve literacy rates and promoting health and confidence in girls. Culture Gender-Based Violence Tue, 07 Jun 2016 08:47:01 +0000 Veronica Marques https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/07/brazils-graffiti-queen-demands-respect https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/07/brazils-graffiti-queen-demands-respect Can marginalized art stand up for marginalized people? Renowned Brazilian graffiti artist Panmela Castro is using paint to reclaim public spaces for female bodies – and training a generation of feminist activists to demand respect. Culture Education Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:00:32 +0000 Gemma Newby https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/06/love-matters-indias-anti-violence-sex-advice-site https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/06/love-matters-indias-anti-violence-sex-advice-site Gayatri Parameswaran is part of a group of young Indian journalists and experts bringing sex advice to the country’s 520 million Hindi-speakers with Love Matters, the first website of its kind. Culture Education Minority Rights Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:27:25 +0000 Elizabeth Dwyer https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/03/tackling-stigma-through-song-in-sierra-leone https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/03/tackling-stigma-through-song-in-sierra-leone In Freetown, girls with disabilities are singing, dancing and acting to change attitudes about exclusion. Local non-profit One Family People develops these young leaders. Senior program manager Hadiatou Diallo explains their work and her inspiration.