Behind the Veil: An Intimate Journey into the Lives of Kandahar's Women

    
    New Globe and Mail Series Based on Face-to-Face Video Interviews with
    10 Afghan Women
    

TORONTO , Sept. 16 /CNW/ - As the debate about Afghanistan persists, one set of voices is rarely heard -- that of Afghan women. But starting Saturday September 19 , The Globe and Mail will provide unprecedented insight into their lives and perspectives through a week-long multi-media series, Behind the Veil, running in-paper and online at globeandmail.com/veil.

Rarely interviewed because of security and cultural restrictions, Afghan women will speak directly to key issues. With the help of a female videographer, The Globe and Mail interviewed 10 representative women in the Kandahar region ranging in age from 14 to 50, and in education from well-schooled to illiterate. Each was asked the same core questions exploring everything from their hopes for the future to their thoughts on politics to the details of their daily lives. Their responses reveal lives of violence, poverty, fear, and yet still hope for peace and security in their country.

"Too often still, Afghanistan is seen solely as a global security challenge. It is that, of course. It is also one of the great human development challenges of our age," said John Stackhouse , Editor-in-Chief, The Globe and Mail. "Behind the Veil will provide a striking, intimate perspective on that quandary, through the day-today lives of women in Kandahar. It's new and compelling insight on the challenge that is Afghanistan ."

Led by reporter Jessica Leeder , Behind the Veil will include newspaper stories and online video documentaries examining the women's points of view on domestic violence, the buying and selling of brides, differences between rich and poor, and their dreams for their country. In addition, the series will include background on Afghan cultural customs and live discussions with Globe reporters who cover the region and the conflict.

Last year, The Globe and Mail's Talking to the Taliban series (still available at www.globeandmail.com/talkingtothetaliban) provided similar insights via video-taped interviews with Taliban fighters. "It's important to hear the voices of Afghanistan in order to truly appreciate what is happening and what may be needed to achieve stability and peace," said Stackhouse.

The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, is a division of CTVglobemedia, a dynamic multimedia company, which also owns CTV Inc., Canada's number-one private broadcaster.

For further information: or to arrange an interview with Jessica Leeder, please contact: Sheryl So, [phone], [email protected]; or Jennifer Hills, [phone], [email protected]