CNN chronicles journey of Afghan woman with iconic face
Multimedia feature reunites users with Taliban victim on her quest for reclamation
Nearly two years after Time captured her image for one of the magazine’s most memorable covers, CNN Digital will reunite users with Aesha, the woman whose story of abuse and disfigurement became an international symbol of oppression and crimes against women in war-torn Afghanistan. Through a powerful multimedia presentation, CNN.com will present Aesha’s quest for surgery, stability and a sense of belonging after her tragic rise to fame.
Authored by Jessica Ravitz with video and photos produced by Edythe McNamee, the feature follows Aesha in her pursuit for political asylum and personal reclamation — from the Queens offices of Women for Afghan Women (WAW) to a new home in Maryland. For nearly 16 months, CNN was granted exclusive access to observe Aesha and interact with her caregivers, tutors and therapist. What they discovered was a woman at a crossroads – stuck between her past and the future ahead of her.
“Aesha’s journey includes hope for her future and the formidable power of resilience and family, not just the horrors of her past,” said Meredith Artley, vice president and managing editor of CNN Digital. “We are extremely proud of this artful reporting from Jessica and Edythe — a narrative that is powerful and delicate at the same time, just like Aesha.”
Aesha’s story, presented by CNN.com through a digital magazine, video and photos, can be viewed beginning Sunday, May 20, by visiting www.cnn.com/aesha. In addition, CNN/US and CNN International will feature the package across its programming lineup. To follow and comment on Aesha’s story on Twitter, use the hashtag #SavingAesha.
About CNN
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
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