The closing of schools will affect especially girl child education in the poorest countries around the world, many of whom already struggle to go to school.

All of us missed having these girls over for the festival, but was this feeling more for them, or for our rituals which we felt had been incomplete?

As she combed Sitara’s hair and helped her put on her nightdress, Akira found herself staring right at her own childhood.

I was lost for words and a bit ashamed that instead of greeting or talking to her I was taking stock of her room. What was she doing in this junk-room? Was she here for some chore or was it really her room?

A UNICEF report 25 years after Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by the global community, examines if things have really improved for women everywhere.