South Asia Youth Dialogue Forum

When discussions about Afghanistan emerge in international newspapers, they are often framed as debates about women's rights. Statistics are cited. Restrictions are listed. Statements are condemned. The conversation usually ends there. Yet there is something deeply misleading about treating the exclusion of Afghan women solely as a women's issue. It is an Afghan issue. A country's future is determined by the skills, knowledge, labour, and creativity of its people. Every natio

For decades, feminism was linked to the “girlboss” image. This represented women who built careers, chased ambition, and showcased that women could succeed in male-dominated spaces. It challenged the notion that women were defined solely by marriage, motherhood, or household duties. However, in recent years, a backlash has emerged. Social media has popularised the tradwife (traditional wife) ,women who embrace homemaking, marriage, motherhood, and traditional roles. Supporte

The first time I noticed a Beti Bachao Beti Padhao banner, it was on a crumbling wall beside a government school I passed every day. The words promised empowerment, safety, and education for every girl. But a few steps away, that same school had no functioning girls’ toilet, and most girls I saw there disappeared from its classrooms by the time they turned thirteen. It made me wonder: is a banner really enough to save us? In recent years, India has launched several welfare sc

Democracy is built on the premise that anyone can lead. Yet some of the world's most powerful political offices seem to circulate within the same families. This trend can be seen from the Gandhi’s in India to the Kennedy’s in the USA. In each case, a family name has remained politically relevant for decades. Critics see this as a failure of democracy, but supporters see it as democracy working exactly as intended. If voters repeatedly choose members of the same family, why sh

In March 2017, the government of India under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) passed official orders making it mandatory to link Aadhaar with important welfare schemes including the Public Distribution System (PDS) for subsidized rations, MGNREGA for employment wages, pensions to locals, and paying scholarships of students. It was integrated under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, which made Aadhaar the only way to be used as identifying beneficiaries for receiving governme

When a nation’s economy teeters on the brink of default, the International Monetary Fund or imf often emerges as the lender of last resort. Armed with a $930 billion war chest, the institution provides vital lifelines to countries experiencing acute balance of payments crises. However, this financial rescue rarely comes without strings attached. The debate over IMF conditionalities, specifically Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) remains one of the most contentious issues