Afghanistan: girls' education in the balance

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Pascale Harter introduces despatches from BBC correspondents and writers around the world. Over the last week in Afghanistan, girls of age to attend secondary school have – again – been sent home from classes. Many were were looking forward to getting back into their lessons on Wednesday. It was scheduled to be their first day back since the Taliban told them to go home - and stay there - when the movement retook control of the country in August 2020. But things didn't play out as expected. Secunder Kermani joined some of the pupils hoping to crack open their books again… only to be devastated at the Taliban’s decision. President Vladimir Putin has argued that Russia's aim in Ukraine is to rescue the Russian-speaking people there, making false claims about their ‘oppression’ by the government in Kiev Official statements from the Kremlin have argued that Ukraine is not a country – but an historical part of Russia. But as the Russian invasion enters its second month, it seems to be unifying rather than dividing Ukrainians under their flag - no matter what language they speak. Nick Sturdee is just back after three weeks filming the country's descent into war. International observers are increasingly worried that a cash-strapped Palestinian Authority could face financial collapse. The Palestinian economy – long stagnating – has crumbled further during the pandemic and following a decline in international aid. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund described the fiscal outlook as “dire”, against a backdrop of persistently high unemployment and poverty. Meanwhile vital access to healthcare is being affected. Yolande Knell finds that some cancer patients' treatment is now at risk. The Caribbean island of Martinique has an intimate, yet conflicted, relationship with France, the former colonial power. Martinicans are full French citizens; their home island is one of the outermost regions of the European Union – using the euro, and French-style road signs. These days it has a special, semi-autonomous status, though there are some calls for full independence. What does it mean to put your life on the line for a country which hasn’t always paid you respect in return? Lindsay Johns reflects on a man who was a beloved father figure to him - a soldier from Martinique, who fought proudly for France , even while feeling the occasional sting of French prejudice himself. Presenter: Pascale Harter Producer: Polly Hope Photo: A pupil in Kabul weeps after girls' secondary classes were not restarted as planned on Weds 23 March 2022. (c) BBC