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Georgia and Armenia are two of the few countries where commercial surrogacy is legal, allowing a woman to be paid to carry someone else’s genetic child through IVF and embryo-transfer.

Georgia and Armenia are two of the few countries where commercial surrogacy is legal, allowing a woman to be paid to carry someone else’s genetic child through IVF and embryo-transfer. © Gvantsa Seturidze

International Women's Day 2023

Surrogacy on the Rise in the South Caucasus

As the practice thrives, experts warn that oversight is crucial to ensure protection and prevent exploitation.

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan.

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan. © Courtesy of N. Tsoi, F. Abdueva, S. Zulkaynarova and A. Yakubova.

International Women's Day 2023

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Women who dream of taking on combat disciplines have to first defy conservative traditions.

1. A collage of all Kyrgyzstan's presidents since the country became independent in 1991. In mid-February 2023, Sadyr Japarov gathered his predecessors in a secret meeting in Dubai in what he called a unifying gesture; critics however maintain it was a populistic move.

1. A collage of all Kyrgyzstan's presidents since the country became independent in 1991. In mid-February 2023, Sadyr Japarov gathered his predecessors in a secret meeting in Dubai in what he called a unifying gesture; critics however maintain it was a populistic move. © Office of the President of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz President’s Secret Meeting with Predecessors Causes Controversy

Critics deem mysterious summit, presented as a gesture of unity, as simply a populist move.

A woman holds her dog while being evacuated from her home due to Russian invasion on March 06, 2023 in Kupiansk, Ukraine.

A woman holds her dog while being evacuated from her home due to Russian invasion on March 06, 2023 in Kupiansk, Ukraine. © John Moore/Getty Images

Ukraine: Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War

Police, prosecutors and civil society groups are developing dedicated protocols to deal with an expected surge of cases.

A man walks past a heavily damaged apartment building on April 4, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has accused Russian forces of committing a "deliberate massacre" as they occupied and eventually retreated from Bucha, 25km northwest of Kyiv.

A man walks past a heavily damaged apartment building on April 4, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has accused Russian forces of committing a "deliberate massacre" as they occupied and eventually retreated from Bucha, 25km northwest of Kyiv. © Alexey Furman/Getty Images

Bucha: Kidnapped and Tortured Three Times

Servicemen are accused of beating and starving 32-year-old hostage on several occasions.

Ukraine Justice Briefing

Tuesday, 7 March ‘23

This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.

Andrii in an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). He joined the army six months ago: together with Serhii, who signed up two months after, he is now one of the most celebrated IFV crew of Ukrainian army’s 93rd Mechanised Brigade in Bakhmut.

Andrii in an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). He joined the army six months ago: together with Serhii, who signed up two months after, he is now one of the most celebrated IFV crew of Ukrainian army’s 93rd Mechanised Brigade in Bakhmut. © Kolyan Pastyko

Battle Rages in Fortress Bakhmut

Russian troops are determined to gain control of the eastern city that has become a key political prize.

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu during the briefing following the government’s resignation on on 10 February, 2023. Prime Minister Nataliia Gavrilita and her government resigned after a 18 months in power marked by economic turmoil, including inflation and energy security issues, exacerbated by Russian disinformation activity and the war in Ukraine.

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu during the briefing following the government’s resignation on on 10 February, 2023. Prime Minister Nataliia Gavrilita and her government resigned after a 18 months in power marked by economic turmoil, including inflation and energy security issues, exacerbated by Russian disinformation activity and the war in Ukraine. © Office of the President of Moldova

Moldova’s New Government Expects Fresh Pressure From Moscow

Chisinau puts focus on security amid ongoing attempts at destabilisation.

A journalist holds a sign labelling a draft law currently under discussion in Georgia as "a Russian law" during a protest staged in front of the Parliament on 2 March, 2023. The government is facing domestic and international calls to backtrack on plans to adopt a "foreign influence agents" bill as critics say it mimics a similar law in Russia.

A journalist holds a sign labelling a draft law currently under discussion in Georgia as "a Russian law" during a protest staged in front of the Parliament on 2 March, 2023. The government is facing domestic and international calls to backtrack on plans to adopt a "foreign influence agents" bill as critics say it mimics a similar law in Russia. © Gvantsa Seturidze/IWPR

Draft Law on Foreign Agents Sparks Outcry in Georgia and Abroad

Ruling party says that bill ensures transparency; critics argue it mimics Russian laws and will crush EU integration.

Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia

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THIS WEEK ON CABAR.ASIA

Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.

The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan is causing water shortages in southern Uzbekistan, while in Kyrgyzstan the government is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant. In Kazakstan, conservation activists are working to save the Central Asian tortoise from extinction.

Elsewhere, CABAR delves into the efforts by Central Asian authorities to detect, reduce and prevent statelessness across the region.

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Editor's Picks

A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles.

A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles. © Roman Pilipey/Getty Images

Ukraine Justice: “Reporting the Story is Just the Start”

Journalists need training and support to properly cover war crimes trials.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region. © Luke Dray/Getty Images

International Migrants Day

Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation

Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.

Ukraine War Diary by A. Borden

Harsh Victory at Position X

Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years.

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years. © Umut Akar

Behind the Wheel in a Macho City

Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist. © Anahit Zakaryan

Life in the Shadows for Armenia’s Transgender Community

Recent murder highlights widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI people.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. © Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

The Israel-Hamas Conflict

Interview: The War on Disinformation

Open source intelligence (OSINT) can provide facts – but impatient, angry audiences often prefer opinions.

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