#WomenRights

Afghanistan, long marred by decades of conflict, is witnessing an unexpected and slow revival in tourism since the return of Taliban rule, according to the latest report by the Associated Press. The current rulers, whose government has not yet been recognized by the international community, are actively encouraging foreign visitation, touting the revenue and cultural exchange potential for a nation in deep economic and social flux (apnews.com).

For Thai readers, the story offers a gripping lens into how economic desperation, societal transformation, and international isolation can upend even the most unlikely sectors—like tourism—in conflict-ridden nations. As Thailand’s own tourism industry serves as the economic backbone and a major conduit for cultural dialogue, the Afghan situation is a case study in how travel and tourism can become both a form of soft diplomacy and a crucible for ethical debate.

A new literary voice is shifting the conversation on reproductive rights, as a San Francisco-based women’s health physician channels her real-world experience into fiction. In her debut novel, “I Trust Her Completely,” the author – known for her op-eds in major news outlets and prior memoir “Boundless: An Abortion Doctor Becomes a Mother” – draws from her dual roles as a doctor and mother, bringing a nuanced perspective to the contemporary debate on abortion. The book, launched on May 6, arrives at a time of heightened global attention to reproductive health, offering Thai readers fresh insight into the use of storytelling as a form of activism (sfchronicle.com).

In his first 100 days back in office, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has set in motion a new wave of reproductive health policies that are drawing sharp reactions both domestically and abroad. The administration’s staunch anti-abortion stance, celebrated by anti-abortion groups and criticized by reproductive health advocates, sets a significant precedent that carries implications for global health, gender equality, and policy discourse, including in Thailand, where debates on women’s health and reproductive rights are becoming increasingly prominent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released groundbreaking new recommendations to curb the growing trend of “medicalized” female genital mutilation (FGM) and strengthen care for survivors, a move hailed by global health experts as an essential step toward eliminating this harmful practice worldwide. This updated guidance is particularly relevant as rising evidence suggests that, despite global efforts to end FGM, a concerning number of procedures are being performed by healthcare professionals—a development with complex health, legal, and ethical implications.