Five Years Since the Taliban’s Return: The Onslaught Against the Rights of Afghan Women and Girls

 ​It’s been five years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, with catastrophic consequences for the rights of women and girls. From being unable to speak in public to being denied access to education, the Taliban are enforcing what the UN has called “gender apartheid”. Afghan women’s rights activist Mahbouba Seraj and former Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko join Christiane to discuss. Then, Venezuelan virtuoso Gustavo Dudamel takes the baton for one of the main acts at UK’s annual classical music bonanza “The Proms”. He joins the show to talk about his move to the LA Philharmonic and his reflections on Venezuela’s tumultuous politics. And from neighbouring Colombia, CNN’s David Culver reports from the ground on the devastation caused by Monday’s earthquake, speaking to the volunteers bringing much-needed relief through heroic rescues. Plus, as social media firms brace for thousands of lawsuits over whether their products are designed to be addictive, we revisit Christiane’s conversation with British House of Lords member Beeban Kidron about her book Users and how tech giants can be held to account. From the archive, we trace the breakdown of Afghan women’s rights, from the Taliban’s removal after 9/11 to their return following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops. Guests: Mahbouba Seraj & John Sopko Gustavo Dudamel Beeban Kidron Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices