World in Progress

The West African nation of Niger has been grappling with Islamist extremist groups, like Boko Haram, who have been targeting schools, among other things. And amid this threat, educators and Nigeriens alike say it's all the more reason to keep kids going to school, if anything to combat the scourge of radicalization.

On this week's show, we travel to the Cambodian city Sihanoukville, which is reeling from the sudden withdrawal of Chinese real estate investors, and the impact of the COVID-19. Then, a look at a Kabul artist in exile who's watching from afar as the Taliban destroys his work. Plus, an interview with Dr. Azza Karam, of Religions for Peace International on how the pandemic is affecting religion.

Among the people who were able to escape Kabul after the Taliban takeover was a local artist named Omaid Sharifi. Sharifi might be best known for a project involving painting colorful and poetic murals onto the city’s many blast walls. Now the Taliban are painting over them.

After months of rising tensions, fighting broke out in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region in November 2020, pitting Tigrayan forces against the central government and forces from neighboring Eritrea. Nearly a year later, both sides face allegations of human rights abuses as the conflict continues. William Davison, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, updates us on the situation.

A conflict between the central government in Ethiopia and the northern region of Tigray has spawned a dire humanitarian situation. Amid widespread famine and death over the past year, Tigrayan soldiers and refugees alike have taken comfort in the healing power of their own musical traditions. Reporter Emily Johnson met with some of the musicians at a refugee camp in Sudan.

We'll hear about how music is playing an important role in the conflict plaguing Ethiopia, where it's boosting morale among Tigrayan soldiers and refugees alike. We'll also get an update on the conflict between Ethiopia and Tigray, which is about to enter its second year. Plus, the controversial push by a group of women reviving ancient Egyptian songs.

We look at tough topics and what happens when people are brave enough to talk about them. We meet one man who is challenging the stigma against men who are victims of domestic violence. And we hear from the founder of the Berlin Human Rights Film Festival who wants its audience to confront some harsh realities.

On out of ten people globally suffer from hunger while a third of food is going to waste. Climate change and conflicts exacerbate the crisis. The UN is  proposing a new global food agenda to improve the food systems. Yet critics say that too much of the focus is on big companies and industrial agriculture, instead of also strengthening the role of small farmers in sustainable food production.

From the Middle East to Central Asia, new societal trends are emerging that are challenging long-held norms. In Iran, women and girls are banking on education as the key to progress. Young entrepreneurs in Egypt are reaping the rewards of start-ups. Meanwhile in Turkey, Afghan refugees are stuck in a state of limbo.

Women across Africa shape protest movements and stand up for their rights: from descendants of Benin's Amazon warriors, to activists fighting injustice and women promoting gender equality with political and poetic means.