Marina Zaffari is a well-known face in Afghan television. Like any other intelligent woman, Zaffari was fed up of seeing the typical ‘pretty’ presenter in a political talk show, nodding at her male colleagues and saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as the situation demanded.  She opted for a different track.

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To curb the increasing incidents of rape in Haryana, the local village leaders have come up with a solution. They have suggested that the marriageable age for girls be lowered to 16 years. According to Indian law, girls cannot get married before they turn 18. This shocking statement has come a day after a teenaged girl from a lower caste immolated herself after being allegedly raped in Jind district in Haryana, India’s state notorious for being unsafe for women.

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“I was born and brought up in Sopore, 50 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. I am reserved, a little laid-back and an abstract thinker.”

Ronaq Zahoor, the latest addition to the Women Talk Online team, talks about her life in Kashmir, the conflict, the dangers and her love for writing.

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The recently proposed bill by the Government of India to pay wages to housewives as recognition of their household labour has created a furore in the country. Debarati Mukherjee had a chance to speak with prominent social activist Medha Patkar about her views on the proposed bill. Here is an excerpt of the discussion.

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I can’t qualify to be a “Desperate housewife” because I have tried my hand at baking and simply lack the talent. I can’t identify myself with “Sex & the City” because I don’t live in a spectacular city. I am not obsessed with sex and most definitely don’t have a shoe fetish.

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India’s great leader Mahatma Gandhi used satyagraha, a non-violent means of protest to achieve freedom from the British empire. Almost one century later, another satyagraha took place in India’s heartland, Madhya Pradesh, to protest against the local government. This time it was Jal satyagraha, submersion. (“Jal” is an old Sanskrit word which means water.  Jal satyagraha means protest inside water).

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The weather reflects my mood today. It’s grey and cold and I’m wrapped up from head to toe. Newspapers are only annoying with information I don’t want. The one solace is that I don’t have to worry about looking sexy today, everybody is wrapped up in layers.

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