Stories about South Asia from June, 2019
In pictures: Nepal holds parade during international Pride Month
Participants demanded equal rights, including same-sex marriage, and were able to educate people about the diversity of the queer community, well beyond the term LGBTQ+.
Detergent ad causes uproar among conservative audiences in Pakistan
The advert ends with Pakistan's women's cricket team captain Bisma Maroof saying “these are not statements but stains."
Playing against patriarchy: Muslim girls in India own the ‘male Space’ by playing football
While many think that gender equality in sport is utopian, there has been a growing movement where people are coming forward to talk and fix the problem of patriarchy.
Climber who captured viral image of Mount Everest traffic is on a quest to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks in record-breaking time
There are only 14 mountains that are higher than 8,000 meters and former British Gurkha soldier Nirmal Purja is on a record-breaking mission to climb all 14 peaks in just 7 months.
Parents, students threaten to sue Bhutanese employment agency after ‘learn and earn’ debacle in Japan
Many students became sick from physical and mental stress. There were also reports of forced labor, and passport theft and illegal wage deductions by employers in Japan.
Bangladeshi surfer girls are pushing back against conservative gender norms
Surfing has not only allowed them to retain a piece of their childhood but they now confidently dream of securing a bright future for themselves – dignified jobs, a good education.
I won't climb Everest: a graphic travel journal
"From our eyes shine excitement and the (heavy) cultural baggage of the West around the legendary 'roof of the world'."
Demolition of a 150-year-old building highlights government neglect of Bangladesh's heritage sites
"The building had such remarkable designs which were rare to find in other buildings in the old parts of Dhaka. So [it] needed to be saved."
Bhutan takes first steps toward decriminalizing homosexuality
The bill will be discussed in the National Council, the upper house of the parliament, during the upcoming winter session starting in November. Bhutanese activists eagerly await the results.
Reactions to the presidential pardon of Sri Lankan rightwing religious leader
"Given Gnanasara’s past record of hateful speech, the Presidential pardon amounted to disrespect to all those who had suffered religious freedom violations in Sri Lanka."
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