Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? Damascus is making limited but tangible progress in its engagement with Syrian Kurds, even as Ankara seeks to shape the terms of any settlement. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran formally allows women to drive motorcycles: What to know The new resolution comes amid widespread unrest in Iran, where massive nationwide protests triggered by economic hardship and a severe government crackdown have shaken cities across the country. Iran
Culture Lebanon’s first lady Nehmat Aoun takes center stage during Pope's visit Lebanon’s first lady, Nehmat Aoun, attended nearly all gatherings and visits of Pope Leo during his three-day trip to Beirut, highlighting her active involvement in social and humanitarian issues. Lebanon
Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights Lebanon’s president has announced he will grant citizenship to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking a wave of outrage. Lebanon
Erdogan’s midnight decrees give Turkey nightmares The overnight decrees increasingly governing Turkey have become a source of livid satire and agony for millions of Turks. Turkey
Assault on female reporter for not wearing hijab sparks backlash in Gaza A female reporter was recently insulted and physically assaulted for not wearing the Islamic headscarf, which renewed the debate about women’s rights in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Palestine
Mosul women fight Islamic State legacy with sports, arts events Mosul women seek to erase their painful memories of IS by holding various activities for women. Iraq
Murder in Kuwait stirs outrage over violence against women Farah Akbar was killed this week by a man who was arrested but released on bail after threatening to kill her. Kuwait
Will Syrian women get wider representation in opposition? The Syrian opposition is working to empower women and increase their participation at the political level, amid low female representation in official institutions. Syria
Egyptian parliament approves tougher penalties for female genital mutilation Egypt's parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill stipulating tougher penalties for female genital mutilation, which remains widespread despite an official ban on the practice. The move coincided with the death of feminist author Nawal El Saadawi, who fought long and hard for an end to the procedure from which she herself suffered as a child. Egypt
Nawal el-Saadawi, renowned Egyptian writer, dies at 89 As a prominent Egyptian feminist, doctor and novelist who wrote more than 50 books on taboo social issues in a deeply conservative country, Saadawi fiercely campaigned for the end to the practice of female genital mutilation. Egypt
Biden calls Turkish exit from women’s treaty 'disheartening step backward' The Biden administration has rebuked Turkey's "unwarranted" withdrawal from the landmark Istanbul Convention. Washington Pulse
Egyptian women’s access to judiciary still limited The Egyptian State Council approved the appointment of women as members to the council and the Public Prosecution office, in tandem with the launch of a social media campaign against a personal status draft law that activists say denies women’s rights to take control of their own decisions. Egypt
Hamas appoints first woman to political bureau Hamas announced March 14 appointing a woman as a member in its political bureau for the first time since its establishment in 1987, in an attempt to improve its image to the world and deny the patriarchal aspect of its leadership structure. Palestine
Tunisian LGBT activist imprisoned after reporting police harassment The concerns of civil society organizations and the international community have grown stronger regarding restrictions on personal freedoms after a Tunisian court ruled against LGBT rights activist Rania Amdouni. Tunisia
Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sentence upheld in Riyadh court The women's rights activist had appealed her probation, which reportedly includes a five-year travel ban. Saudi Arabia
