2022: justice and war - 28th December 2022

2022 began with women's rights in the headlines. The Taliban had banned women in Afghanistan from schools. However, a radio station used its programmes to keep educating women.

Women in Scotland asked for an apology. Centuries ago, laws against witchcraft led to the murder of many women. In some countries, women are still attacked as witches today.

Zoe Venditozzi: "There are still people across the world, generally vulnerable, often women or old people that are being accused of witchcraft."

The environment was also a hot topic in 2022. Mangroves were being replanted in Kenya to repair decades of damage from human activity. In Liberia, chimpanzees were returned to the wild. They’d been used in medical experiments but are now cared for by volunteers. And marine life in Thailand’s Phi Phi bay returned after it had almost disappeared due to mass tourism. As part of recovery efforts, a new education centre raises tourists’ awareness of their environmental impact.

Sirithon Thamrongnawasawat: "We show the tourists what is the impact, what is the biodiversity, what is the relationship between your behaviour and the impact to the corals."

While people were creating positive change, Russia was attacking Ukraine. The war forced 7.8 million Ukrainians to leave their lives behind and seek safety in nearby European countries. Russia's war also caused food and oil prices to rise globally. Prices of key ingredients in Africa increased significantly due to the war as many African nations usually import food from Ukraine. Now, millions face hunger in Africa.

Julius Adewale: "Cost of production, it has increased immensely. So, they have to come together and also increase the price of bread by 40 percent to what it was before. A common man, that has not even eaten, you no expect him to buy bread or a loaf of bread for 700."

However, people have continued working to save money and the environment. Opposition to the fast fashion industry has grown and people have taken up sewing to reduce waste and living costs.

In London, beauty product company UpCircle’s extending the limits of the zero waste movement by recycling used coffee grounds into skincare products. And at an art exhibition in London, designers displayed creative ways to recycle waste products.

Gemma Curtin: "So, people are looking at the waste that's around them. And designers are thinking, what can we do with that? How can we help the environment by using these materials."

The US saw fights for women's rights and the planet. Environmental activist Rob Greenfield highlighted personal action on pollution. He wore all the waste that an average American’s diet produces in a month. His trash suit helped to raise public awareness.

There were also protests against the US Supreme Court. It removed women’s right to an abortion. Women in many states lost the right to control their own body.

Kamala Harris: "This is the first time in the history of our nation that a constitutional right has been taken from the people of America. And what is that right some might ask. It's the right to privacy."