## Whitney Leavitt Is Writing Her Own Story Beyond Mormon Wives

Whitney Leavitt stepped into the public eye through reality television, but she has every intention of being remembered for something far greater.

When *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* debuted on Hulu in September 2024, the entire cast was launched into an unexpected wave of fame almost overnight. For most of the women involved, that spotlight remained firmly within the reality TV universe. Leavitt, however, had other plans — competing on a highly talked-about season of ABC's *Dancing With the Stars* before landing what would become a career-defining opportunity.

### From Dance Floors to Broadway Spotlights

Hot off her impressive run on *Dancing With the Stars*, Leavitt secured the coveted leading role in *Chicago* on Broadway — a milestone that few reality TV personalities ever reach. And that's only part of the story. Later this year, she'll make her feature film debut in a holiday romantic comedy produced by Ninth House Productions, a project she's also co-steering as an executive producer.

All of this while continuing to film for *Mormon Wives* and preparing for yet another unreleased season of the hit series.

In a candid conversation with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Leavitt made it clear that while the Hulu show gave her an invaluable platform, she's now hungry for challenges that stretch well beyond it.

"I wouldn't be where I am without *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*," she acknowledged, "but it feels like it's time to challenge myself in other ways and fulfill these dreams and passions that I've been trying to pursue even before the show."

### A Day in the Life of Broadway's Leading Lady

Leavitt's daily schedule would exhaust most people. Her mornings begin around 6:30 a.m. with her children, followed by the school run, a gym session, vocal lessons, and ongoing filming for *Secret Lives*. By evening, she's at the theater — arriving an hour and a half early to warm up, prepare, and deliver a full performance.

It's a relentless pace, but one she embraces with clear purpose.

### Acting Was Always the Dream

What many fans don't realize is that Leavitt was actively pursuing an acting career long before reality television came calling. After relocating to California, she enrolled in classes at respected institutions including Margie Haber, the Groundlings, and Lesly Kahn — laying the groundwork for a serious performing career.

"People don't know that before all of this happened, I was still auditioning," she revealed. "Then I got this reality TV opportunity and I took it. But even during that time, my passion is film. I love entertaining, I love acting."

As for Broadway, Leavitt admits she never expected to end up there. Though she always had a deep love for musical theater, she doubted her vocal abilities. It was only during her *Dancing With the Stars* run — when the *Chicago* audition opportunity emerged — that she began taking voice lessons seriously and decided to go for it.

### Dancing With the Stars and the Conversation It Sparked

Leavitt's journey on *Dancing With the Stars* wasn't without turbulence. Heading into the competition, she carried insecurities rooted in how she'd been portrayed during *Mormon Wives* Season 1 — a narrative that followed her onto a new platform and made her doubt whether she had a genuine fanbase cheering her on.

She quickly discovered she did.

"The records we're breaking with *Chicago* in ticket sales wouldn't happen without that community rooting for me," she said. "That was a very overwhelming and beautiful moment in my life."

Her outspoken ambition also ignited a broader cultural conversation about women — particularly mothers — who openly pursue their professional aspirations. Leavitt found that conversation meaningful, even as she faced criticism.

"I would be interested to see how it would have been received if a father had taken the same stance," she reflected. "It really got people thinking — it got me thinking."

Many fans believe the release of *Mormon Wives* Season 3 just before her elimination contributed to her exit from the competition. Leavitt doesn't shy away from that possibility, acknowledging that her candor about returning to the show — and her motivations for doing so — may have divided audiences.

### Eyes on Emmy Gold and Future Film

As an executive producer on *Mormon Wives*, Leavitt now holds a professional credential that carries real weight — and one that could, if the show earns another Emmy nomination, see her name on the ballot.

"Just getting that EP title means a lot — not just for me, but for all the women," she said. "That's something we carry with us into future business opportunities and future projects. That's with us forever."

Looking further ahead, Leavitt has her sights set on working with celebrated filmmaker Ryan Murphy, citing his talent, work ethic, and passionate approach to storytelling as qualities she deeply admires.

She also expressed a desire to see a revival of *Sweet Charity* — and would love nothing more than to play the lead role of Charity herself.

### Broadway as a Launchpad, Not a Destination

When asked whether she plans to continue on Broadway after *Chicago* or pivot fully into film, Leavitt sees no contradiction between the two.

"Broadway is still acting — it still fills my cup," she said. "It's like an acting boot camp. And I don't have this expectation to suddenly be in massive Oscar-winning films overnight. That's the goal, but I know it's going to take time. There are actors who've been climbing that ladder for years, and I'm climbing it too."

### The Future of Mormon Wives — An Open Question

As for what lies ahead with *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, Leavitt draws a thoughtful parallel to a band whose members eventually pursue solo paths.

"Just like One Direction — I would hope they'd all support each other when they broke off and had individual careers, because it felt like the right time," she mused. "I wouldn't be where I am without that platform and the group we built together. But maybe it's time for me to branch out. And I feel, today, that each one of them would support me in that."

Whatever shape her future takes, Whitney Leavitt is making one thing unmistakably clear: this is only the beginning.

Whitney Leavitt talks Broadway, her upcoming film debut, Dancing With the Stars, and why her post-Mormon Wives career is just getting started.

Whitney Leavitt Beyond Mormon Wives: Broadway and Beyond

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Whitney Leavitt Is Writing Her Own Story Beyond Mormon Wives

## Britain's Growing Health Divide: The Rise of Private Healthcare

A prominent patient advocacy group is raising serious concerns about the emergence of a two-tier healthcare system in England, as a growing number of people choose to pay for private medical treatment rather than endure increasingly long NHS waiting times.

Healthwatch England, drawing on both direct patient feedback and recent polling data, has highlighted a significant and troubling shift in how people are accessing medical care — one that appears to be widening the gap between those who can afford private treatment and those who cannot.

## Polling Data Reveals Sharp Rise in Private Healthcare Use

A survey of nearly 2,600 people across England found that 16% had used private healthcare services within the past year — a striking jump from just 9% reported two years earlier. Among those who paid out of pocket for treatment, four in ten pointed directly to long NHS waiting times as their primary motivation.

The data also exposed a clear financial divide. While 35% of individuals earning over £80,000 annually had sought private care in the past year, only 10% of those earning under £20,000 had done the same — underscoring the reality that access to faster treatment remains largely dependent on personal wealth.

## Patients Using Private Diagnostics to Fast-Track NHS Treatment

Beyond paying for full private treatment, a growing number of patients are adopting a hybrid approach: paying privately for diagnostic scans and tests — which can be arranged within as little as 48 hours in the private sector — and then returning to the NHS armed with their results in hopes of accelerating their care pathway.

While the NHS targets a six-week turnaround for diagnostic tests, the near-instant availability of private alternatives has made this workaround increasingly attractive. Industry estimates suggest more than one million such privately funded diagnostics are now being carried out each year.

Private Healthcare Information Network figures further reveal that close to 950,000 operations and treatments were performed in the UK's independent healthcare sector last year alone.

## One Patient's Journey: Paying £20,000 for Relief

Chloe Leckie, a 51-year-old woman from Buckinghamshire, represents the human face of this growing trend. After years of battling endometriosis and repeatedly seeking NHS help, she found herself offered only physiotherapy and medication despite requesting a hysterectomy.

Fortunately for Leckie, a change in her husband's workplace health insurance policy provided the coverage she needed, allowing her to pursue the £20,000 private procedure. She underwent a hysterectomy last year and continues to pay for private physiotherapy.

"I was in tremendous pain, but just could not get the help I needed from the NHS," she said. "I was lucky really that the policy change meant I could go private — I know not everybody has that opportunity."

Her story highlights both the desperation driving patients toward private care and the uncomfortable truth that such options remain out of reach for many.

## Healthwatch England Calls for Urgent Government Action

Healthwatch England, which reviewed an extensive 390,000 pieces of public feedback gathered over three years, is urging the government to take meaningful steps to cut waiting times. The watchdog is also calling on the NHS to communicate more proactively with patients during the waiting period — offering clearer timelines and practical guidance on managing symptoms while they wait.

Currently, nearly four in ten patients are waiting longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks for hospital treatment — a benchmark that is failing to be met at significant scale.

Beyond physical health treatments, the watchdog noted that private mental health services and weight-loss medications are also seeing increased demand from patients who feel underserved by the NHS.

## Healthcare Leaders Warn of a 'New Normal'

David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, acknowledged that private GP appointments are also rising, and suggested that using independent healthcare in tandem with NHS services is rapidly becoming the "new normal" for many British families.

"People's health and the health of their family is their number one priority, and so it's not surprising that more people are willing to fund their own treatment," he said.

### GPs Feel the Strain of the Hybrid System

The trend is not without consequences for the NHS itself. Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee, noted that family doctors are increasingly having to assess privately obtained test results to determine whether patients qualify for NHS follow-up care — a process that is adding to an already strained workload.

"We believe urgent, nationally-funded action is needed to bring waiting lists down and to ensure all patients can access high-quality care quickly, whether it's in the NHS or privately," Dr Bramall stated.

## Government Pledges Progress but Acknowledges the Challenge

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the issue, pointing to recent improvements including waiting lists falling to their lowest level in nearly three years. The government insists it is committed to dismantling what it called an "unacceptable two-tier healthcare system."

"Our extra investment and modernisation is beginning to turn the tide, but we know there's a long way to go," the spokesperson added.

While incremental progress may be underway, the data and lived experiences of patients like Chloe Leckie suggest that for many in England, the choice between suffering through long waits or paying for faster care remains an uncomfortable and deeply unequal reality.

Healthwatch England warns of a growing two-tier health divide as polling shows private healthcare use in England has nearly doubled in just two years.

UK Two-Tier Health System: NHS Waits Fuel Private Care Rise

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Britain's Health Divide: Why More People Are Abandoning NHS Waits for Private Care

## A Desperate Race to Save Her Fertility

For Iona Hall, the aftermath of life-changing surgery brought not only physical recovery but a devastating revelation — her chances of one day becoming a mother were slipping away faster than she ever imagined. The 30-year-old Bristol native is now on an urgent mission to freeze her eggs before her already critically low reserves disappear entirely.

## Two Major Operations and a Heartbreaking Diagnosis

Throughout 2024, Hall underwent two significant surgical procedures to address severe endometriosis — a complex condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb. Surgeons removed a 10cm cyst from her ovary and worked to separate her bowel and uterus, which had become fused together as a result of the disease.

While the operations were necessary to improve her quality of life, they came at a steep cost. Following surgery, Hall's doctors delivered alarming news: her egg reserve had fallen to critically low levels.

### The Numbers Tell a Sobering Story

Hall's Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels — a key clinical marker used to assess a woman's remaining egg supply — plummeted from 11.9 before surgery to just 2.1 afterward. To put that into perspective, the typical AMH reading for a healthy 30-year-old woman sits at approximately 17. The drop was stark, and the implications were deeply personal.

"I was really, really upset," Hall admitted. "Freezing my eggs is my only chance to preserve my fertility and give myself the option of a family in the future. Endometriosis has taken so much from my life, and I don't want it to take this from me too."

## A Four-Month Window — and a £21,000 Price Tag

Medical professionals have advised Hall that she has a narrow window of approximately four months in which egg freezing remains a viable option. She requires funding for three rounds of egg harvesting, with the total cost estimated at £21,000 — a significant financial burden for a self-employed silversmith.

To raise the necessary funds, Hall has launched a public fundraiser, which has already attracted more than £10,000 in contributions. Despite the daunting target, she remains cautiously optimistic.

"It feels frightening," she said, "but the little eggs I do have left are good quality, so it's not over."

## A Decade of Misdiagnosis and Masked Pain

Hall's journey to diagnosis was long, painful, and frustratingly common among endometriosis sufferers. She had been taking the contraceptive pill since her teenage years, a medication that was unknowingly suppressing her symptoms for more than a decade.

It was only after coming off the pill that the true severity of her condition became apparent. Reflecting on her younger years, Hall recalled: "When I was in my teens and early twenties, I just thought I was getting urinary and kidney infections all the time. I just thought I was one of those unlucky girls. The pain just never went."

At her worst, she described waking in the night, vomiting from the intensity of the pain and unable to find relief.

### Years of Misdiagnosis Before the Truth Emerged

At 24, Hall was incorrectly diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prescribed six months of antibiotics. By the time doctors identified the real culprit, the endometriosis had already spread extensively throughout her body.

This experience is far from unique. According to the NHS, endometriosis affects roughly one in ten women, and the average patient waits more than eight years from their first GP visit to receive an accurate diagnosis. The condition can impact the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis, causing symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, and chronic fatigue.

## Hope Amid Uncertainty

Despite the physical and emotional toll of the past year, Hall is approaching the months ahead with determination. Her story shines a light on the broader challenges faced by women with endometriosis — from diagnostic delays to the long-term impact on reproductive health.

For Hall, egg freezing represents more than a medical procedure. It is a lifeline — a way to retain some control over her future in the face of a condition that has already taken so much from her.

If you would like to support Iona Hall's fundraiser or learn more about endometriosis, resources are available through the NHS and leading endometriosis support organisations.

Iona Hall, 30, is urgently raising £21,000 to freeze her eggs after endometriosis surgery critically depleted her fertility reserves. Her story highlights a wid

Woman Has 4 Months to Freeze Eggs After Endometriosis Surger

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Racing Against Time: One Woman's Fight to Preserve Her Fertility After Devastating Endometriosis Surgery

## Harry and Meghan Slam Royal Author Over Explosive Book Claims

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit back hard against royal biographer Tom Bower, labeling his latest work a exercise in "deranged conspiracy and melodrama" after damaging extracts from his upcoming book were published by the Times.

### What Does the New Book Claim?

In the forthcoming biography, Bower alleges that Queen Camilla privately told a close friend that Meghan had "brainwashed" Prince Harry. The author also portrays Meghan as a "divisive agent" within the royal family, suggesting that the Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, viewed her as a direct "threat" to the monarchy's stability.

Bower's book, titled *Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family*, features Harry and Meghan prominently on its cover. This follows his 2022 publication, *Revenge: Meghan, Harry, And the War Between the Windsors*, continuing what appears to be an ongoing focus on the Sussex couple.

### Sussex Spokesperson Issues Sharp Rebuttal

A spokesperson representing Prince Harry and Meghan responded swiftly and forcefully on Saturday, accusing Bower of long having "crossed the line from criticism into fixation."

The statement read: "This is someone who has publicly stated, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' language that speaks for itself."

The spokesperson went further, adding: "He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."

### Tensions With William and Catherine Explored

The book's extracts also delve into the reportedly strained relationship between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales. According to Bower, William and Catherine grew increasingly "alarmed" by Meghan's presence, with the author claiming she resented Harry's slim prospects of ever ascending to the throne.

Bower further alleges that Prince Harry privately harbors fears that his brother, as the future king, holds the power to strip the Sussexes of their royal titles and effectively exile him from Britain.

### Business Deals and the Invictus Games

The extracts also examine Harry and Meghan's commercial ventures following their 2020 departure from royal duties and relocation to the United States, including high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify.

In a particularly pointed section, Bower references media coverage surrounding the Invictus Games — the sporting tournament Harry founded for wounded military veterans — dismissively referring to the event as "the Meghan Games," suggesting Meghan's presence overshadowed its original purpose.

### A Pattern of Royal Controversy

Bower's latest claims are sure to reignite debate surrounding the Sussex family's fractured relationship with the wider royal institution. With the book yet to be officially released, the fierce response from Harry and Meghan's camp signals that the fallout from its publication is only just beginning.

Harry and Meghan slam royal author Tom Bower over claims in his new book, calling his allegations 'deranged conspiracy' and 'melodrama'. Full details here.

Harry and Meghan Hit Back at Tom Bower's New Royal Book

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Harry and Meghan Fire Back at Royal Author Over 'Deranged' New Book Claims

## National Trust Embarks on Decade-Long Hedgerow Restoration Mission

A landmark conservation initiative is now underway at one of England's most celebrated rural estates, as the National Trust launches a comprehensive 10-year programme to restore and expand the hedgerow network at its Wimpole Hall estate in Cambridgeshire.

The ambitious project aims to plant or reinstate approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) of hedgerows across the 1,000-hectare working farm, with far-reaching benefits expected for both local wildlife and the farm's long-term productivity.

## Why Hedgerows Matter for Farms and Wildlife

According to the National Trust, the restored hedgerow network will serve multiple critical functions. Beyond providing rich habitat for a wide range of species, the hedges will act as natural firebreaks and play a vital role in preventing soil erosion — two pressing concerns for any large-scale agricultural operation.

Dave Hassall, Farm and Countryside Manager at Wimpole Estate, explained the broader significance of the project: "Each section of hedge that we restore makes the whole network bigger and better." He added that the work would enhance how the landscape operates as an interconnected system, ultimately making it more resistant to the pressures of a changing climate.

## What the Restoration Work Involves

The programme, which was formally developed in 2023, breaks down into three key areas of activity:

- **Coppicing** will be applied to around 10% of the farm's existing hedgerows
- **Hedge laying** will cover 6.7 kilometres (4.1 miles) of existing growth
- **New hedgerow planting** will introduce 13.8 kilometres (8.6 miles) of fresh vegetation, incorporating roughly 83,000 native trees and shrubs

This winter alone, a dedicated team of staff and volunteers completed an impressive milestone — planting 30,000 trees and coppicing or laying 2.3 kilometres (1.4 miles) of hedgerow across the estate.

### Traditional Techniques at the Heart of the Project

The restoration relies on time-honoured land management methods. Hassall acknowledged that techniques such as laying and coppicing can appear severe at first glance, but reassured that hedges recover rapidly and emerge stronger and denser than before. These approaches are specifically designed to stimulate flowering and fruiting, ensuring the hedgerows become thriving sources of food and shelter for wildlife throughout the seasons.

## A Boost for Endangered Farmland Birds

One of the most compelling aspects of the project is its potential impact on farmland birds, many of which are in serious decline. The restored hedgerows are expected to provide critical habitat for red-listed species including the corn bunting, yellowhammer, and linnet. Additionally, the dense hedgerow structure will offer vital winter sustenance for migratory visitors such as fieldfares and redwings.

## About Wimpole Estate

The Wimpole Estate is a diverse and historically significant property managed by the National Trust. It encompasses a grand stately mansion, sweeping parkland, formal gardens, and a fully operational working farm — making it one of the most complete rural estates in the country. The hedgerow restoration programme represents one of the most substantial conservation investments the estate has undertaken in recent years, underlining the National Trust's commitment to sustainable land stewardship and ecological recovery.

The National Trust is restoring 23km of hedgerows at Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, planting 83,000 native trees to boost wildlife and farm productivity.

National Trust Begins 10-Year Hedgerow Restoration Project

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National Trust Launches Ambitious 10-Year Hedgerow Revival at Historic Wimpole Estate

## Fetuses Exposed to Alarming Levels of PFAS 'Forever Chemicals,' New Study Finds

Groundbreaking new research suggests that unborn babies are carrying far greater concentrations of so-called "forever chemicals" in their bloodstream than scientists had previously understood — raising serious concerns about the long-term health consequences for the next generation.

The peer-reviewed study, conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tested 120 umbilical cord blood samples using a broader, more comprehensive detection method than what is typically employed in standard screening. The results were striking.

### What the New Research Uncovered

Conventional testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — commonly known as PFAS — generally focuses on a narrow set of well-known compounds, such as PFOA and PFOS. However, there are approximately 15,000 known PFAS compounds in existence, and routine screenings barely scratch the surface.

The Mount Sinai team applied what is called a "non-targeted analysis," a much wider-ranging approach capable of detecting thousands of different compounds. When applied to samples that had previously been found to contain just up to four PFAS compounds, this expanded method identified a total of 42 distinct PFAS substances. The overall concentration of these chemicals in the blood was substantially higher than earlier, more limited tests had ever revealed.

"Babies are exposed to many more PFAS than we previously thought," said Shelley Liu, a study co-author and associate professor at Mount Sinai. "It's particularly important to understand because it is a very vulnerable period when fetuses are exposed."

### Why PFAS Are So Dangerous

PFAS chemicals are widely used in manufacturing to make everyday products resistant to water, grease, and stains. They are found in everything from non-stick cookware and food packaging to waterproof clothing and firefighting foam. What makes them especially troubling is their persistence — PFAS do not break down naturally in the environment or in the human body, which is why they have earned the nickname "forever chemicals."

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a wide range of serious health conditions, including various cancers, birth defects, weakened immune function, elevated cholesterol, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. For fetuses and newborns, the stakes are even higher.

A comprehensive review of 40 separate studies found PFAS present in every one of 30,000 umbilical cord blood samples examined. Research has also connected elevated PFAS levels in mothers to increased infant mortality rates, low birth weight, and a greater likelihood of obesity in childhood and beyond. Fetal exposure has further been associated with neurological disorders and an increased cancer risk later in life.

### Regulatory Testing Is Struggling to Keep Pace

One of the most troubling aspects of this issue is how far behind government monitoring has fallen. Older PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS have largely been phased out over the past decade, but chemical manufacturers have replaced them with newer-generation alternatives — substances they frequently claim are less harmful, often without substantial scientific evidence to back those assertions.

Furthermore, PFAS compounds can break down into entirely new chemical variants once they enter the environment or the human body, making comprehensive tracking even more difficult.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, typically screens water samples using a testing method that checks for only around 30 to 40 compounds. Independent researchers, however, have identified thousands of PFAS variants in water supplies across the country. A 2022 investigation found that regulatory agencies have routinely undercounted PFAS contamination levels in public water systems.

The EPA has recently certified a new blood testing method capable of identifying up to 53 PFAS compounds — an improvement, to be sure. But the Mount Sinai study's non-targeted analysis detected 31 additional compounds that this new EPA test still does not cover.

### What This Means for Infant Health

While the Mount Sinai study did not directly assess specific health outcomes, the implications are difficult to ignore. Higher PFAS concentrations in the blood are broadly associated with greater health risks, and the full picture of how a complex mixture of dozens of these chemicals affects fetal development remains largely unknown.

The blood samples analyzed in the study were originally collected as part of the federally funded HOME Study, an ongoing research initiative tracking PFAS exposure and health outcomes across a person's lifetime. The Mount Sinai team has indicated plans to further investigate the potential health consequences of these elevated chemical exposures in future research.

### Experts Call for Stronger Protections

Public health advocates were quick to respond to the findings. David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, emphasized that the study reveals just how significantly the dangers to newborns have been underestimated.

"Harms to babies polluted with a complete mixture of PFAS chemicals has likely been underestimated due to the inability to measure these compounds," Andrews said. "This paper is a stark reminder of the importance of health-protective regulations and how lax oversight can result in babies being born pre-polluted with harmful chemicals such as PFAS."

The research adds mounting pressure on regulators to modernize their detection methods and strengthen oversight of PFAS chemicals — before another generation is born already carrying a toxic burden.

New Mount Sinai research finds fetuses carry far higher PFAS levels than standard tests reveal, with 42 compounds detected in umbilical cord blood samples.

Fetuses Have More PFAS Forever Chemicals Than Thought

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Unborn Babies Carry Far More 'Forever Chemicals' in Their Blood Than Scientists Previously Realized

## A System That Fails Its Most Vulnerable

For women caught within Senegal's criminal justice system, the ordeal extends far beyond any legal sentence handed down by a court. Substandard living conditions, an agonizingly slow judicial process, and deep-rooted cultural stigma combine to create a uniquely punishing experience — one that can permanently sever a woman from her family and community long before a verdict is ever reached.

This reality was brought into sharp focus during International Women's Day events held across Senegal recently, where organizations distributed free reusable menstrual products to female inmates — basic hygiene supplies that the prison system does not consistently provide.

## One Woman's Story

Maïmouna Diouf still remembers the wave of dizziness that came over her the first time she walked through the doors of the Thies detention center in 2021. Convicted of infanticide — a charge she firmly disputes, maintaining that she gave birth to a stillborn child and buried it without informing authorities — Diouf found herself assigned to a cramped room shared with nine other inmates.

The mattresses were worn and filthy, spread across the bare floor. An unidentifiable odor filled the air. "This is my life now? How am I supposed to sleep here?" she recalled thinking in those first overwhelming moments.

Released in 2025, Diouf has since channeled her experience into advocacy, volunteering to support female inmates still navigating the system she endured. Her account sheds light on the circumstances faced by roughly 280 women currently imprisoned in Senegal — a group representing approximately 2% of the country's total prison population of 14,000.

## Justice Delayed: Years Behind Bars Without Trial

The challenges women face in Senegal's prisons are compounded by an overburdened judicial system. A 2024 report from the U.S. State Department noted that court backlogs and judicial absenteeism result in an average two-year gap between when charges are filed and when a trial actually begins. During this prolonged waiting period, an estimated 60% of those charged remain incarcerated. Women are held at the Liberté VI women's prison in Dakar.

Seynabou Dieme, who heads social-education services at Liberté VI, has witnessed the toll this takes firsthand. "It's very difficult for these women, especially those who are innocent, waiting in prison for a trial," she explained. "They sometimes cannot afford a lawyer, and with so few judges available in Senegal, delays stretch even further."

Dieme confirmed that some women have waited as long as six years before their trials begin — an almost incomprehensible period of uncertainty.

In February, the Senegalese government reportedly adopted legislation targeting prison reform and improved conditions. However, NPR was unable to obtain official confirmation or an update on the status of these reforms from relevant government offices.

## The Weight of Cultural Judgment

Beyond inadequate infrastructure and judicial delays, women in Senegal's prisons carry an additional burden: social condemnation that often strips them of the family ties and community connections essential for both survival and eventual reintegration.

"The culture often says that a woman has no right to make a mistake," Dieme observed. "Because the woman must manage the household, the community, raise the children. If she falls, she brings the whole family down with her."

This judgment is intensified by the nature of the offenses for which many women are incarcerated. According to a 2021 report by Prison Insider, an organization that monitors conditions inside Senegalese detention facilities, nearly half of all female prisoners had been convicted of infanticide. A further 23% were imprisoned for abortion — a procedure that remains illegal in Senegal except in life-threatening circumstances.

## Stripped of Support When It Matters Most

Fatou Faye, who serves as a supervisor for the Prison Project at Tostan — a Senegalese human rights organization that both distributed hygiene products on International Women's Day and provides inmates with education in human rights and income-generating skills — notes that the stigma surrounding these specific charges often destroys relationships before a woman has even been sentenced.

Diouf considers herself fortunate. Her family stood by her throughout her imprisonment. Her brother accompanied her on that first harrowing day and, horrified by the condition of the mattresses in her cell, arranged to bring her a clean one. Family members also regularly supplied her with additional food and essential hygiene products that the state failed to provide.

But for many of her fellow inmates, that kind of support was absent. "They were always crying, because it is so difficult to be rejected by your own family," Diouf said of the women she befriended during her time behind bars.

### One Woman's Fight for Anonymity

The stigma persists long after release, as illustrated by the experience of a woman identified here only as AF — her full name withheld because of the ongoing shame associated with her imprisonment.

In 2001, AF was a young mother who found herself pregnant and unable to provide for a second child. She sought a clandestine abortion, but medical complications brought her to a hospital, where healthcare workers reported her to the police. She was subsequently convicted and served four years in prison.

Her mother and sister desperately wanted to support her. But extended family members and community figures — including uncles — pressured them relentlessly to cut ties. "They kept saying I was a bad woman and didn't deserve their support," AF recalled. Fortunately, her mother and sister refused to abandon her, providing food, soap, emotional encouragement, and a promise to welcome her home upon release.

"It was painful to watch them suffer while I could do nothing from inside the prison," she said.

After her release in 2005, AF began working with Tostan's prison education program, helping other incarcerated women prepare for the transition back into society — a transition she knows from painful experience is rarely smooth.

## The Cycle That Follows Release

"There are women who leave prison and their families do not take them back," AF explained. "With nowhere to go and no support, many turn back to crime and end up returning to prison. Families and communities need to adopt a mindset of forgiveness and assistance."

Faye echoes this sentiment with quiet conviction. Her work bringing education and skills training to women inside Senegal's prisons is driven by a belief that society must extend grace to those who have made mistakes.

"They are all human beings," she said. "A person can do something they deeply regret. They deserve the chance at a clean slate."

## A Call for Systemic Change

The experiences of Diouf, AF, and the hundreds of other women navigating Senegal's prison system point to failures that are both structural and cultural. Overcrowded cells with inadequate sanitation, a judiciary ill-equipped to process cases in a timely manner, and a society that withdraws compassion precisely when it is most needed — all of these forces converge to make incarceration an especially isolating and damaging experience for women.

Advocates and social workers on the ground are doing what they can. But lasting change, they argue, will require not only prison reform at the government level, but also a fundamental shift in how Senegalese society views — and responds to — women who have broken the law.

Women in Senegal's prisons endure dirty conditions, years-long pre-trial waits, and social stigma. Learn about the urgent reforms advocates are calling for.

Women in Senegal's Prisons Face Stigma and Neglect

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Behind Bars and Forgotten: The Harsh Reality Facing Women in Senegal's Prison System

## The Woman Whose Blood Is So Rare It Gets Frozen for 30 Years

For most people, donating blood is a generous but relatively straightforward act. For 26-year-old Mina Stoddart-Stones, it is something far more extraordinary. Her blood is so exceptionally rare that it is cryogenically preserved for up to three decades — and she is considered nothing short of royalty by the organisation responsible for the UK's blood supply.

### A Blood Type Found in Almost Nobody

Stoddart-Stones, who lives in Bridgwater, Somerset, has been a regular blood donor for several years. It was only recently, however, that she came to understand just how uniquely valuable her contributions truly are.

Her blood is classified as both U negative and N negative, meaning it lacks the antigens present in the blood of nearly 100% of people across the United Kingdom. Across the entire country, only nine donors share the same blood type — making each donation an irreplaceable medical resource.

"It makes me feel very special and honoured, actually, that I could help someone that is really poorly," Stoddart-Stones said.

### Recognised as a 'VIP' Donor

Stoddart-Stones has been placed on the UK Rare Donor Panel, maintained by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). This exclusive panel represents just 0.01% of the organisation's 800,000 registered donors — approximately 1,200 individuals in total.

Her blood also carries the RO subtype, a rare and critically important classification most commonly found among people of Black African or Caribbean heritage. This subtype is particularly vital for patients with conditions such as sickle cell disease, who may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.

Joanne Mathews, manager of NHSBT's National Frozen Blood Bank in Liverpool, did not hold back in expressing just how significant donors like Stoddart-Stones are to the medical community.

"We know her name, and we will only let her blood go for patients with that exact type, because it is so rare," Mathews explained. Meeting Stoddart-Stones, she added, was like meeting royalty.

### Preserved for Decades to Save Lives

Unlike standard blood donations, units collected from rare donors are not simply stored in a refrigerator for a few weeks. They are frozen and kept in specialised facilities for up to 30 years, ensuring they remain available whenever a patient with a matching rare blood type requires an emergency transfusion or undergoes surgery.

This meticulous preservation process reflects the extraordinary lengths the NHS goes to in order to protect patients whose medical needs cannot be met by conventional blood supplies.

### A Personal Motivation to Give Back

For Stoddart-Stones, the decision to donate goes beyond altruism — it is deeply personal. As a baby, she experienced serious illness herself, and her father later underwent treatment for cancer. Those experiences left a lasting impression and inspired her to contribute to the health service in whatever way she could.

"That little little bit that I can do, helping them as much as they've helped my family," she said.

In addition to her blood donations, Stoddart-Stones is also registered on the stem cell donor panel, further extending her commitment to supporting patients in critical need.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that blood donation — while simple in practice — can carry an impact that is truly immeasurable.

Mina Stoddart-Stones has one of the UK's rarest blood types. With only 9 matching donors nationwide, her frozen donations save lives in ways few others can.

Woman With Ultra-Rare Blood Type Feels Honoured to Donate

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The Woman With Ultra-Rare Blood Who Is a 'VIP' to the NHS

## A Town Caught Off Guard in the Early Hours

At one o'clock on a Saturday morning in November 2025, the market town of Monmouth in south Wales was plunged into chaos. While most residents slept, Storm Claudia was unleashing catastrophic flooding that would go on to be described as the worst the town had seen in living memory.

The culprit was not the River Wye — the larger waterway that borders the eastern side of Monmouth and the one most residents had their eyes on — but rather its tributary, the River Monnow. According to Jeremy Parr, Head of Flood and Incident Risk Management at Natural Resources Wales, the Monnow rose to a staggering 18 times its normal level during the storm. To put that in perspective, Parr described it as the equivalent of "371 small cars passing your eyes every second."

Hundreds of residents were forced from their homes. Businesses lost millions. And for some who had spent their entire lives in Monmouth, the flood took absolutely everything.

## 'It Was Carnage' — A Retirement Home Manager's Harrowing Night

Among those who witnessed the full horror of that night was Gillian Haycock, manager of Chippenham Court, a retirement living complex in the town. She described the scene as "carnage" as she worked frantically to protect her elderly residents from the rising water.

One moment she will never forget involved a 102-year-old resident who had to be rescued by raft boat, still dressed in their nightgown. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales' *After the Cameras* podcast, Haycock painted a vivid picture of the destruction.

"It was like a sinking ship, and it still looks like that now," she said. "I would never believe that water could do that much damage — that it could take a kitchen off its wall. The severity of that water was so strong that day, and it kept flowing."

Nearly four months after the disaster, some residents of Chippenham Court remain homeless. Among those displaced is Haycock's own 87-year-old father-in-law, who is battling terminal cancer.

"Even now, 11 or 12 weeks later, they're all in not the best place," she said. "Mentally, they're distraught and I don't know whether some will even come back."

The cost of repairing the building has been estimated at over £750,000. Haycock has described it as "pretty scary" to consider that she may be forced to permanently close Chippenham Court if she is unable to afford to renew the building's insurance policy at the end of March.

## A Restaurant Dream Nearly Destroyed After Just Eight Days

Andrea Shull and her husband had only opened their restaurant, Bar 125, eight days before Storm Claudia struck. They were still on the premises when the street outside began filling with rushing water in the early hours of the morning.

"Because there were a lot of us still there, we started lifting furniture and fridges up into the kitchen area, thinking about the electricals," Shull recalled. "Then before we knew it, it just all came through like a river and we were fighting a losing battle."

What made the situation even more devastating was that Shull had not thoroughly read the small print of her insurance policy. As a result, she received nothing to cover her losses or to help fund the restaurant's reopening. She estimates total losses at around £250,000, encompassing destroyed food, equipment, and unpaid wages. To stay afloat, she emptied her savings, cashed in her pension, and relied on multiple credit cards.

Despite the overwhelming setbacks, the local community rallied around Bar 125, and the restaurant managed to reopen just ten days after the flood.

"You kind of feel like you're in somebody else's nightmare — that it's not really happening to you," Shull said.

Yet the recovery has been slow and painful. Speaking earlier this month, she revealed: "Yesterday, we didn't even take enough money to cover our staff wages."

## Flood Defences Are No Guarantee, Experts Warn

The scale of the flooding caught many in Monmouth off guard, partly because the town does have flood defences in place. Jeremy Parr acknowledged that the event was unexpected given how long it had been since flooding of this magnitude had occurred in the area.

"What it shows is that a lot of places, like Monmouth, are next to rivers with defences — and those defences aren't a guarantee that there will never be any flooding," Parr said. "I've spoken to people who are scared every time it rains because of their memory of what happened last time."

The broader picture for Wales is equally concerning. Natural Resources Wales estimates that one in seven homes across the country is currently at risk of flooding — a figure projected to rise by 28% over the next hundred years as climate patterns continue to shift.

## Investigation Underway as Community Tries to Rebuild

Monmouthshire County Council has launched a formal investigation into the causes and full impact of last November's flooding, with findings expected to be published during the summer.

For many residents and business owners, however, the damage is already done. The road to recovery is long, financially crippling, and — for some — deeply uncertain. What Storm Claudia revealed is that no community situated near a river can afford to feel entirely safe, no matter what protections may be in place.

Storm Claudia devastated Monmouth, Wales, when the River Monnow surged to 18 times its normal level, destroying homes and businesses overnight.

Storm Claudia Floods Monmouth at 18x Normal River Level

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How a Sleeping Welsh Town Was Torn Apart When a River Surged to 18 Times Its Normal Level

## Groundbreaking Trial Offers New Hope for Endometriosis Patients

A pioneering clinical trial underway in Worcestershire could fundamentally change how endometriosis is diagnosed, offering millions of women a faster, safer path to treatment without the need for invasive surgery.

Led by Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust, the study marks the first of its kind within the NHS to evaluate the effectiveness of a non-surgical diagnostic method for the condition — one that affects approximately one in ten women across the UK.

## What Is Endometriosis?

The NHS describes endometriosis as a chronic and frequently painful condition in which tissue resembling the womb lining develops outside the uterus. It most commonly affects pelvic organs, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can trigger inflammation, the formation of scar tissue, and significant ongoing pain.

Despite how widespread the condition is, receiving a confirmed diagnosis has historically required surgical intervention — a process that can stretch over several years, leaving patients to endure prolonged suffering without answers.

## How the Electrode Technology Works

The trial, which launched in November, employs small electrodes placed on the surface of the abdomen to measure muscle activity within the small intestine. According to consultant gynaecologist Donna Ghosh, who is leading the research, the electrical patterns produced by intestinal activity appear to follow a distinct frequency that is uniquely associated with endometriosis patients.

### A Faster Route to Diagnosis

"What we're really focusing on is reducing the delay in diagnosis," Ghosh explained. "Patients who are suffering from symptoms suggestive of endometriosis will reach that diagnosis sooner."

Ghosh further noted that diagnostic delays in the UK have long been tied to the condition's dependence on surgical confirmation. This new non-invasive approach, she argued, could offer a far more accessible and timely alternative.

"Non-invasive tests, such as the ones we are investigating as part of this trial, will be much more helpful in diagnosing endometriosis and giving patients access to timely treatment," she said.

## A Patient's Story: 16 Years of Endometriosis

The real human cost of delayed diagnosis is powerfully illustrated by Jessica Hill, a 33-year-old woman from Tenbury Wells who has been living with endometriosis for 16 years and has undergone five separate surgeries during that time.

Hill was just 14 years old when doctors first suggested surgery as the only means of investigation. "At 14, somebody saying they were going to open you up on a hunch — that it could be this — I was terrified," she recalled. Out of fear, she delayed her first surgery by four years, spending that time in debilitating pain, often unable to attend school or college.

### The Devastating Progression of the Disease

Today, Hill lives with severe stage four endometriosis. She has undergone surgery on her bowel, bladder, pelvis, and nerves — procedures made more complex by the nature of the disease itself.

"The condition feeds off scar tissue, so the more surgery a patient undergoes, the worse it can become," Hill explained. She is a passionate advocate for earlier detection, stressing what it could mean for other women facing the same ordeal.

"If they can find it before even cutting someone open, it's going to make it quicker for them. The woman herself won't feel like she's losing her mind — because that's exactly how you feel," she said. "They can also get treatment earlier to stop it from progressing to the more serious stages."

## Join the Trial

Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust and Donna Ghosh are currently recruiting additional participants for the study. Women aged between 18 and 50 with no prior history of pelvic pain are encouraged to come forward and take part in this potentially life-changing research.

A pioneering NHS trial in Worcestershire uses electrode technology for non-invasive endometriosis diagnosis, aiming to cut years off detection times for women.

NHS Trial Uses Electrodes to Diagnose Endometriosis

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Revolutionary Non-Invasive Test Could Transform Endometriosis Diagnosis

## Belfast Woman Joins March on Downing Street Over Pelvic Mesh Suffering

A Belfast woman who says she has lived in relentless pain since receiving a vaginal mesh implant is urging the UK government to commit to a firm deadline for a compensation scheme — one that she and thousands of others have been waiting years to see delivered.

Susan McLarnon is among a group of women who travelled to Downing Street to personally deliver a letter to the Prime Minister demanding **urgent and concrete action** on redress for those harmed by pelvic mesh implants.

## 'I Walked In Able-Bodied and Left on Crutches'

McLarnon received her vaginal mesh implant in 2016 to treat a prolapse and urinary incontinence. She says she was reassured beforehand that the procedure was straightforward and low-risk — but claims she was never properly informed of the potential dangers.

The aftermath was devastating.

> "I walked into the hospital able-bodied and came out on crutches," she told BBC News NI.

In the years since her surgery, her mobility has deteriorated significantly. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted — getting washed and dressed, driving, moving around the home — have become serious challenges. Although she later underwent a procedure to have the mesh removed, it was not fully extracted, and she says the pain has never left her.

## A Widespread Crisis Affecting Hundreds of Women

McLarnon is a member of **Sling the Mesh NI**, a support group for women affected by mesh-related complications that now has close to 700 members in Northern Ireland alone. Despite considering her own situation serious, she describes herself as "one of the lucky ones" when compared to fellow members who have lost organs, been forced to sell their homes, or experienced the breakdown of personal relationships as a direct result of their complications.

Pelvic mesh — a net-like synthetic implant used to support the vagina and surrounding organs including the bladder, urethra, and rectum — was widely regarded as the gold standard treatment for incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse for many years. However, the implants can harden and erode over time, cutting through soft tissue and causing catastrophic damage to internal organs. Many women have been left in permanent pain, unable to walk, maintain employment, or engage in intimate relationships.

### Men Are Also Affected

McLarnon was keen to highlight that the mesh crisis is not exclusive to women. Men who received mesh implants as a treatment for hernias have experienced similarly severe complications.

"They suffer the same but it's hard to get men to speak out as they don't like to speak about personal things — but they are also in excruciating pain," she said.

## Two Years On: Recommendations Still Gathering Dust

A landmark independent report published two years ago, authored by Dr Henrietta Hughes, called for immediate action and recommended that initial payments of **£20,000** be made to mesh-injured women across the UK. The report also prompted calls for the Northern Ireland Executive to establish a dedicated compensation scheme for those harmed by pelvic mesh implants.

Despite the urgency of those recommendations, campaigners say little tangible progress has been made. The UK Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the "significant impact" the implants have had on patients and their families, but stated only that it is "carefully considering" the report's recommendations and intends to provide an update "in due course."

For those living with daily pain, that response is far from sufficient.

## Redress Is About More Than Compensation

McLarnon stressed that the campaign for a redress scheme goes beyond simply seeking financial restitution.

"It will help those who are on waiting lists to see surgeons for removal or to go privately," she explained, pointing out that many affected women are stuck in lengthy NHS queues while their conditions worsen.

**Kath Sansom**, founder of Sling The Mesh, who joined the Downing Street delegation alongside MP Sharon Hodgson, stated that pelvic mesh had "stolen women's health, irreversibly ruined their quality of life, their independence, and their future." She and fellow campaigners are calling for a clear, funded, government-backed timeline for a compensation scheme that covers all women harmed by pelvic mesh — including those who received rectopexy mesh.

## The Scale of the Problem in Northern Ireland

The true number of women adversely affected by mesh implants in Northern Ireland remains difficult to pin down, partly because of poor data management within local health trusts — a failing highlighted in an NI Audit report.

According to that audit, approximately **11,000 vaginal mesh procedures** were carried out in Northern Ireland between 1998 and 2018. Conservative estimates suggest that between 5% and 10% of those patients experienced complications, meaning potentially hundreds of women may require mesh removal surgery.

For Susan McLarnon and the growing community of women standing behind her, the time for government consideration has long passed. What they need now is action — and a deadline to hold decision-makers accountable.

Susan McLarnon, harmed by a vaginal mesh implant, joins campaigners at Downing Street urging the UK government to urgently establish a redress scheme for victim

Vaginal Mesh Victim Demands UK Compensation Scheme Action

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Belfast Woman Living in Constant Pain Demands Government Action on Vaginal Mesh Compensation

## A Taliban Video Reveals a Painful Hidden Reality

A short, unsettling video circulated on social media in early February has drawn global attention to one of Afghanistan's most deeply rooted and misunderstood cultural practices. Released by Taliban authorities, the four-minute clip shows a frightened child seated in a dimly lit room, being interrogated by an unseen Taliban agent. The child is 13 years old, dressed in loose trousers, a long shirt, and a traditional beaded cap — the clothing of an Afghan boy. But she is a girl.

The Taliban claim the footage was recorded approximately four years ago, shortly after they seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021. They have not explained why it was released now, and the fate of the young girl shown in the video remains unknown.

## What Is Bacha Posh?

The practice of girls disguising themselves as boys has existed in Afghanistan for centuries. It even carries its own name: **bacha posh**, a Dari phrase that translates roughly to "dressing like a boy." Historically documented across generations, the tradition has been explored in numerous cultural works, including the 2003 film *Osama*, the 2018 Oscar-nominated animated film *The Breadwinner* — produced by Angelina Jolie — and the 2014 book *The Underground Girls of Kabul*.

While the practice once may have been tied to a desire for adventure or military service, its meaning in contemporary Afghanistan is far more desperate. Today, bacha posh is largely a survival strategy — a response to the Taliban's suffocating restrictions on women's rights and freedoms.

## Why Families Are Turning Daughters Into Sons

Under the Taliban's governing framework, women are prohibited from working in most professions and are increasingly confined to domestic spaces, stripped of participation in public life. According to Sahar Fetrat, a researcher with the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, this amounts to a system of "total female subordination."

With the United Nations estimating that nearly 85% of Afghanistan's population is struggling to meet basic needs, families without male breadwinners face an impossible situation. In response, some mothers — particularly those raising multiple daughters with few or no sons — make the calculated decision to present one daughter publicly as a boy.

"I have come across such cases frequently in recent years," says a mental health professional working in western Afghanistan, who asked to be identified only by her initials, NT, citing fear of Taliban retaliation. "My clients are dressing their daughters as boys so they can work and support their families."

She notes that it is typically mothers with "lots of daughters and no sons" who make this choice, effectively transforming one child's public identity to keep the household afloat.

## The Practical Advantages of a Boy's Identity

Beyond earning income, a bacha posh serves another critical function in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Taliban enforcers — particularly agents of the ministry for the prevention of vice and promotion of virtue — have enforced rules requiring women and girls to be accompanied in public by a **mahram**, a male guardian. Crucially, even a boy can fulfill this role.

This creates a practical loophole. A girl disguised as a boy can escort her mother and sisters on errands, navigate public spaces without harassment, and move through daily life with a degree of freedom entirely denied to girls.

One of the mental health counselor's clients, a 16-year-old who goes by the male name Omid, has lived this reality since the age of three. Following her father's death, Omid's mother made the decision to raise her as a boy. As one of seven sisters with only one brother, Omid assumed the role of mahram for her family — accompanying them on trips and helping secure an income.

"He has the freedom to travel and work. He is friends with local boys," the counselor recounted. The motivation was not only economic. "In Afghan culture, sons are seen as valuable. So sometimes, families who don't have sons will dress up one of their daughters to avoid social criticism."

## The Psychological Cost of Living a Double Life

While bacha posh girls may experience a form of freedom that most Afghan girls never know — playing in the streets, visiting shops, moving through public space without scrutiny — this freedom comes at a significant psychological price.

When these girls reach puberty and can no longer maintain the disguise, many face profound identity crises. Some find it deeply difficult to transition back into the restrictive feminine roles that Afghan society demands. Trauma, confusion, and resentment are common outcomes, according to both the mental health counselor and a psychologist who has worked with victims of gender-based violence in Afghanistan. Both professionals requested anonymity due to the risks of speaking openly about this topic under Taliban rule.

Omid, now navigating adolescence, is being asked to relinquish the only identity she has known. The psychological toll, her counselor confirms, has been severe.

## Danger in Both Worlds

Bacha posh girls do not simply inherit the privileges of boyhood — they also inherit its dangers. Fetrat of Human Rights Watch warns that girls living under male disguise are exposed to serious risks, including sexual abuse, exploitative child labor, and profound physical and psychological harm.

"The girls subjected to this practice face abuses outside the home," Fetrat says, "including sexual abuses, child labor, and severe psychological, physical, and identity-related harms."

For Fetrat, the existence of bacha posh is not merely a cultural curiosity — it is a symptom of a system designed to dehumanize women and girls.

## A System With No Good Options

The Taliban's response to the viral interrogation video — releasing it publicly while offering no comment — speaks volumes about how the group views women who step outside their prescribed roles. Girls who disguise themselves as boys simply to eat, to work, or to accompany their families face punishment if discovered.

"The Taliban's misogynist structure systematically treats women and girls as inferior," Fetrat says. "Yet when women and girls are left with no choice but to dress as males just to survive, they are met with punishment."

For the girls of Afghanistan, there are no safe paths — only the least dangerous ones.

Under Taliban rule, Afghan families disguise daughters as boys to survive. Discover the rising practice of bacha posh and its devastating human cost.

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