Māpuna for Saturday 13 August 2022

Former Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi on a year since Kabul fell

On August 15 last year the Afghan capital, Kabul, again fell under Taliban control after the group's lightning fast campaign across the country following the withdrawal of American troops. Former Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi was in Kabul last August. She had spent twenty years promoting the rights of women and girls, especially their access to education and healthcare. At one point she was the deputy speaker of the Afghan parliament but as the Taliban began to re-emerge she became a target, surviving several assassination attempts. Two years ago she was shot in the arm by Taliban gunmen outside Kabul but she refused to be silenced and even became a government negotiator in face-to-face peace talks with the Taliban. Now Fawzia Koofi is in exile with her two daughters and wondering if she can ever return to her homeland. 

Taliban clash with women's rights protesters in Kabul. Photo: 2021 Anadolu Agency

Festival to mark 50th anniversary of Maori language petition

Photo: Te Hui Ahurei Reo Maori

Next month marks the 50th Anniversary of the presentation to Parliament of the Maori Language petition that called for the revitalisation of Te Reo Maori. Mere Boynton is the Director of Nga Toi Maori for Tawhiri and says there will five days of events in Wellington next month including kapa haka and cabaret style Māori show bands.