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DW Breaking Barriers

June 1, 2021

Inspirational stories from women across Asia. These women fight for the values they believe in, to bring good to fellow human beings, and to protect the environment and beyond.

Breaking Barriers

Watch their stories here.
Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Paralympic powerlifter: 'No disability can destroy a dream'

Indonesian para-athlete Ni Nengah Widiasih won a silver medal for weightlifting at the 2020 Paralympics.
SocietyNovember 30, 202105:11 min

Meet Taiwan's first openly LGBTQ council member

Miao Po-ya is is breaking barriers by winning the support of young people as well as the older generation.
PoliticsNovember 9, 202105:04 min

Escaping child marriage for a dream tech job

Growing up in a small Indian village, Ashwini's parents wanted her to marry young. But she wanted a different life.
SocietyOctober 26, 202104:15 min

Children in Jakarta's slums get a second chance at education

Desi Purwatuning teaches both children and parents the importance of education.
SocietyOctober 18, 202105:20 min

Pakistani woman uses art to empower others

Undeterred by the effects of polio, Shazia Batool strives to promote the rights of women and people with disabilities.
SocietyOctober 11, 202105:58 min

Taiwan indigenous singer fights to sing 'men's' song

Seredau broke a taboo by singing the song "exploit-praising (Semaljawliyan)," which is traditionally only sung by men.
SocietyMay 24, 202105:29 min

Tanzila Khan: Empowering women with disabilities in Pakistan

In Pakistan, women with disabilities face a double stigma and have trouble accessing menstrual products and information.
SocietyMay 17, 202105:48 min

Tribal leader works to preserve culture

After inheriting her father's role as leader, Azangiljan decided to return and learn the language and culture.
SocietyMay 10, 202105:13 min

Afghan activist helps her community fight drug addiction

Laila Haidary set up Mother Camp to help drug abusers break their cycle of addiction.
SocietyMay 3, 202105:54 min

Meet Humaira Farah, Pakistan's first female cricket umpire

Humaira Farah is Pakistan's first-ever female cricket umpire. She told DW about how she managed to break into a male-dominated profession in the Islamic nation, as well as maintain work-life balance.
SocietyApril 19, 202104:48 min

Child activist: 'Our leaders are ruining our lives'

Nine-year-old Licypriya, a young climate activist, says parents must leave behind a beautiful planet for their children.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 12, 202105:30 min

Indonesian activist helps pull women out of poverty

Activist Yerni Bolu improves the lives of disadvantaged women in one of Indonesia's poorest regions.
SocietyApril 5, 202105:10 min
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