Women and girls have been largely excluded from public life in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August last year. Many women have not been allowed to return to their jobs. The Taliban banned women from all universities last week.

Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B appeared at a New York City court on Tuesday after failing to complete 15 days of mandatory community service over an assault at a New York City strip club.

Although Japan is the only G7 country where same-sex marriages are illegal, there have recently been some positive changes for the LGBT community. Last November, Tokyo's metropolitan government introduced partnership certificates that entitle gay couples to certain public services that were once reserved for straight couples.

The movie "Joyland" failed to make the Oscar nominations for best international feature film. But the first Pakistani film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival is still making headlines. It tells the story of a married man who falls in love with a transgender erotic dancer.

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In East African countries, people with diverse sexual orientations live in constant fear. Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is on the rise in in the region as lawmakers in Uganda vote to pass new legislation to punish the community.

Some 531 people have been killed so far this year in Haiti as a result of ongoing violence and unrest. There are estimates that armed gangs now control about half of the country, including the capital Port-au-Prince.

Recent reports suggest that LGBTQ people in Egypt are increasingly being targeted digitally. But activists and observers say that the crackdown is, in fact, systemic.

Driven from their homes in the village of Ngarannam by Boko Haram insurgents eight years ago, survivors of the attack have begun rebuilding their lives after they were able to return home in the last six months. Now women are taking on a new role in the reconstructed village.

US toy manufacturer Mattel has unveiled its latest Barbie doll, representing a person with Down syndrome. It's the latest move from the company that's been working to diversify the Barbie line after being criticised for promoting unrealistic beauty standards.

The brutal power struggle unfolding in Sudan has no clear end in sight, with over 500 people already killed and thousands forced to flee. After the joy and hope of the democratic protests that led to the fall of Omar al-Bashir, the country has been unable to escape the shadow of his regime and the men who wish to succeed him.

Every year, hundreds of people risk their lives along the perilous West African migration route to Europe. Baye Seyni Sene almost died at sea fleeing harsh living conditions in Senegal. Today, he's back and wants to help his community.