Stories about South Asia
How are India’s new-age influencers shaping the electoral game?
Ahead of the Indian general elections, political parties are leveraging the power of the internet and social media to to maximise their outreach and engagement in the election process.
The slow but steady erosion of India’s civil society
While India has a rich, vibrant, and ideologically diverse political and civil society landscape, the state's systemic crackdown on dissenters and NGOs is becoming increasingly concerning.
A farming community's fight for land and legacy in Sri Lanka
A story of resilience and resistance emerges in the struggle between farmers and the authorities in Uva Province over a land-grab of maize fields for a proposed sugarcane factory.
Women march for Palestine and against patriarchy in Pakistan
Women in Pakistan's major cities, such as Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Multan, rallied on International Women’s Day, demanding gender equality, justice, and safety, challenging patriarchal norms for the seventh consecutive year.
Another wave of blasphemy in Pakistan
Blasphemy allegations in Pakistan resurfaced, prompting a smear campaign against the Chief. He faced criticism for ordering the release of a minority Ahmadiyya man accused in a blasphemy case.
A quest for fairness by fishermen in the western Sri Lankan city of Negombo
"Their protest ... resonating within the halls of the Archdiocese of Colombo, speaks to a deeper narrative of conflict, resource management and the pursuit of fairness within the church community."
The struggles of the Pattharkattas, Nepal’s invisible workforce
Today, an estimated 3,343 Pattharkattas living in Nepal struggling with dead-end jobs with no opportunity for growth or sustaining their livelihood. Their traditional identity and occupation are at stake.
Pakistan's post-election scramble: Coalitions and concerns
Following the swearing-in of the Pakistan National Assembly's elected representatives, political parties are actively forming alliances as they prepare to decide on the Prime Ministerial post soon.
Greenpeace opens office in Sri Lanka amid ongoing climate crisis
Global Voices' partner Groundviews spoke to Executive Director of Greenpeace South Asia, Binu Jacob, about the climate challenges facing the region and the role of Greenpeace in combatting climate injustice.
The untold stories of transgender people in Bangladesh as they navigate misconceptions
“How would you feel If you were wrapped in an air-tight box? I have been feeling suffocated the exact way throughout my life ..."
Silenced voices: The X and VPN ban after Pakistan’s elections
During the political uncertainty following the elections, the voices of Pakistani citizens have been stifled through Twitter and VPN bans.
One man is trying to save a language in Bangladesh with only six native speakers
Currently, only six people, all aged over 60, can speak the ethnic Renmingtca language well. If they die, the language and culture will be lost from Bangladesh.
Climate crisis ruins Himalayan pastoralists
Winter droughts and delayed snowfall are impeding grass regrowth in high-altitude grazing sites in Nepal's Eastern Rukum district, endangering the local sheep population and forcing shepherds to leave profession.
Overcoming the patriarchy in India's caste system: Minal's story
"I don't believe feminism should strive for matriarchy, which doesn't translate to equality, but for the equal acceptance of everyone as human beings, regardless of gender."
Pakistan’s general elections: AI, internet shutdowns and disillusionment
On top of disruptions to the internet, Pakistani political parties have also been using emerging technologies, particularly generative AI and deep fake videos, to influence voter narratives and perceptions.
Pakistan’s political landscape: What to expect from the 2024 elections
On February 8, 2024, over 128 million Pakistani voters are scheduled to vote in a crucial election that has been marred by political repression and judicial harassment against the main opposition.
Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: A springboard for the Indian National Congress's path back to power?
The India Unity and Justice March, led by the opposition Indian National Congress, is currently traversing various Indian states aiming to engage the common people ahead of the general elections.
The perils of extracting limestone in Nepal's Indigenous Chepang communities
The escalating mining for energy transition minerals poses a direct threat to Indigenous rights and territories in Nepal, especially for the indigenous communities like Chepang, whose plights remain often unheard.
Exploring migration, belonging and the meaning of home in Sri Lanka
At an arts exhibition in the Sri Lankan capital, multidisciplinary artist Firi Rahman portrays the agony of Slave Island residents who face the threats of gradual gentrification.
Do national parks and wildlife conservation regulations in Nepal benefit Indigenous people?
Nepal has seen many successes when it comes to wildlife conservation. However, Nepal's Indigenous communities have endured a series of human rights abuses due to oppressive conservation policies.
Establishing Nepal in the international literature scene: An interview with translator Jayant Sharma
Global Voices interviewed Nepali writer, editor, and literary translator Jayant Sharma, who is a staunch advocate for the global recognition of Nepali literature.
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