afghan women

Russia's tragic brutality and the humbling of the West

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Russia's tragic brutality and the humbling of the West

We returned to Davos for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting. The 2023 WEF is all about "polycrisis," which, in WEF-speak, means many crises simultaneously that compound each other like tangled knots. But how do you untangle those knots? That's a question that the world's business and political elite is struggling with a time when the globalization they adore is being questioned by the developing world.

No place worse for women than Taliban's Afghanistan, says UN human rights chief

No place worse for women than Taliban's Afghanistan, says UN human rights chief

When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, there was some hope that they would reformed. Now it's clear they have not changed a bit. And nowhere is that more obvious than in the Taliban's abominable treatment of women. “There is no country in the world that treats women in the way that Afghanistan does and the Taliban do,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk tells Ian Bremmer on GZERO World, on the ground in Davos.

Connecting the world: the power of digital trade

Closing the Gap

Connecting the world: the power of digital trade

In their work around the globe, Catherine Shimony and her partner, Joan Shifrin, saw many women artisans in need. “We saw beautiful products women were making but they often didn’t have a market to sell them in, even locally. Beautiful products languished,” Shifrin explains. So they founded Global Goods Partners to help female artisans reach a global audience - and customer base. Since launching back in 2005, GGP has partnered with more than 60 artisan groups in countries throughout Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

The fallout from US Afghanistan withdrawal: a Marine's perspective

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

The fallout from US Afghanistan withdrawal: a Marine's perspective

Almost one year ago, US forces departed Afghanistan after two decades of war. Their enemy was the Taliban, who didn't wait for all American soldiers to leave before taking over the country. One year later, Afghanistan is in shambles. On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer speaks to former US marine and CIA officer Elliot Ackerman, whose new book "The Fifth Act," details the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Taliban regime has been “death in slow motion” for Afghan women

GZERO World Clips

Taliban regime has been “death in slow motion” for Afghan women

Fawzia Koofi was a member of Afghan Parliament from 2005 until last year, when the Taliban swept back to power. On GZERO World, Koofi describes her experience working as one of the only female voices at the table during the negotiations with the Taliban. In the room, they promised Koofi that women would play an active role in Afghan society. They even hinted at an inclusive government.

What Afhan women lost

The Graphic Truth: What Afghan women lost

For years, Afghanistan has ranked as one of the world’s worst places to be a woman. But over the past two decades — with the Taliban out of power and a US-backed government calling the shots — things had started to improve. Literacy rates for girls went up, and women were allowed to pursue higher education and more career opportunities — including serving in parliament. In many parts of the country, they also had greater autonomy to travel independently. But that’s all changed since the Taliban returned to power one year ago amid the US’ chaotic withdrawal. Afghan women and girls, many of whom weren’t alive when the Taliban last ruled, are now watching their hard-fought freedoms disappear.

Afghan activist Pashtana Durrani, who fled to the US, is skeptical of Taliban’s claims

GZERO World Clips

Afghan activist Pashtana Durrani, who fled to the US, is skeptical of Taliban’s claims

The Taliban claims they will allow women and children to go to school, but that reality has not been realized, says Afghan education activist Pashtana Durrani. The last time that she spoke with Ian Bremmer on GZERO World, she was in hiding, moving location to location, in order to avoid the Taliban as they took over the country. Now safely in the US after fleeing Afghanistan in October, she is working as a senior fellow at Wellesley College and continuing her work on girls education in the country she fled. Her nonprofit, LEARN, has started emergency relief programs for women and children facing malnutrition and starvation.

The Taliban has only made “cosmetic changes” since the 1990s, says author Ahmed Rashid

GZERO World Clips

The Taliban has only made “cosmetic changes” since the 1990s, says author Ahmed Rashid

The Taliban may have allowed “cosmetic changes” - like allowing younger fighters to take photos with iPhones – but their governing style hasn’t truly changed, renowned author Ahmed Rashid told Ian Bremmer on GZERO World. In fact, not much about the group has actually reformed since he wrote his groundbreaking book, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia.