Iranians have recently been shocked by the news of two “honour killings” of women, including one believed to have been killed for her faith in Christ. Iranian Christian Omeed Jouyandé explains how Iran’s laws reinforce the discrimination that can underly these crimes, and how SAT-7 PARS offers an alternative in the Christian message of freedom.

On International Women’s Day, SAT-7 programs across the Middle East and North Africa celebrate women’s power to change society for the better, while calling for faster progress towards recognition of their God-given, equal value in families, communities, and societies.

In Persian societies, a woman’s identity is often defined only in relation to their father or husband. Women can face devastating social challenges and a lack of rights. Now, the SAT-7 PARS program New Identity is helping Persian-speaking women discover and explore their true identities in Christ as beloved ones of God.

The Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan earlier this year left the world reeling with shock and fear. In response, Afghan pastor and SAT-7 presenter Shoaib Ebadi turned to the Lord’s Prayer for his country and its Church. Today, simply join him in his prayer:

When the wait for justice and righteousness in the world seems unending, where do we turn? In her times of sadness, Hengameh Borji, Iranian presenter of SAT-7 women’s program Insiders, reminds herself of the ultimate kingship of Christ:

Women and men who watched SAT-7’s Arabic women’s program Needle and New Thread were more likely to support women’s rights to live free from violence and discrimination, says an independent evaluation that shows the program successfully raised awareness among high percentages of viewers.

“We don’t want to be subject to this rule – we want to have freedom!” is the cry from an Afghan woman on SAT-7 PARS as women, children, and minorities including Christians face a dire threat to their safety, their rights, and their future.

For five years and six months, Samira* shares, she was separated from her two young children with no recourse to see them or fight for custody. A recent episode of SAT-7 ARABIC’s You are Not Alone tells Samira’s story and highlights the lack of legal protections that can leave Middle Eastern women, and their children, very vulnerable.