The Documentary Podcast Folgen

Aalia Farzan of BBC Afghan services left her life in Afghanistan after the Taliban retook the country in 2021 and came to London, and it was there she met her now husband. She speaks about this unlikely love story, and sheds some light on what Afghan courtship entails. Ilona Hromliuk of BBC Ukrainian has spoken to women who travel thousands of miles across Ukraine, to go on a date with their husbands who are fighting on the frontlines. Presenter: Feranak Amidi Producers: Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Many countries have condemned President Trump in recent days for his proposal to “take over” the Gaza strip while “resettling” Palestinians in neighbouring countries. We hear from two women in Gaza, returning to what’ is left of their homes. Weam shares with us an audio diary of her recent experiences and we bring her together with Farida to discuss why they want to stay where they are. Donald Trump’s proposal for Gaza would be the largest shift in US policy on the Middle East in decades. Many other nations still support the two-state solution, which would create two separate states – Israel and an independent Palestine – something the Netanyahu government of Israel is against. For our second conversation, we bring together two Israelis who have been involved in past peace talks. What do they think of Donald Trump’s plan?

The Muslim feminist movement is growing in Turkey with young women becoming increasingly vocal about their rights and place in a traditionally patriarchal society. Emily Wither has been speaking to the co-founders of the country’s first Muslim Feminist association about how they have overcome pushback from their own communities, threats to their organisation and navigated a civil society that’s rooted in secularism.