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
Iran judicial chief orders crackdown on women defying hijab law: What to know Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei also called for legal action against the United States over the June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran
Culture Rape case against movie star Pejman Jamshidi rocks Iran: What to know The accusations against Jamshidi, one of Iran’s most famous celebrities, come amid ongoing discussions about women’s lack of rights in the country. Iran
Iraqi women push for cafes of their own Iraqi women have started opening women-only cafes and restaurants where they can just avoid harassment. Iraq
Can Israeli women challenge Chief Rabbinate? Israelis, including many from the national-religious stream, support women who study Jewish law and make Jewish-law decisions. Israel
Israeli women can now command IAF squadrons, but are they equal? It was only in 2001 that a woman reached the pilot’s seat itself in the Israel air force, meaning it took less than two decades to leapfrog from that achievement to the position of squadron commander. Israel
Bumpy road ahead for Egypt's first female Coptic governor Women's rights activists and Christian figures rejoiced as Egypt appointed its first Coptic Christian woman as governor, but not everyone in the city of Damietta was delighted with the appointment. Egypt
False rumor reignites row over Egypt’s mixed-gender classes The Egyptian government once again has managed to quash a recurring false claim that men and women will be banned from attending university classes together. Egypt
Tunisia’s next political battle: equal inheritance rights President Beiji Cai Essebsi’s call for a law establishing equal inheritance rights for men and women has sparked debate in Tunisia, a pioneer in women's rights in the Middle East but also a largely conservative society where most people reject contradicting Sharia. Tunisia
Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt to employ women for first time As Egyptian women struggle to fight for their professional rights in the banking sector, the Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt announced for the first time in 38 years that it was willing to employ women. Egypt
Comeback actress stirs hornet’s nest on hijab in Egypt Actress Hala Shiha has changed her mind several times about her career and her attire, but her latest announcement has caused an unprecedented backlash. Egypt
Women revolutionize Israeli air force Together with the Mossad, the Israeli air force leads a female revolution, appointing women to senior command posts. Israel
Egypt's feminists laud mass appointment of women as top judges Women have been latecomers to Egypt's judiciary, but they're inching toward key posts in waves. Egypt
Traffic policewomen, a first for Bethlehem Women participated for the first time in organizing traffic in Bethlehem, as part of a police program aimed at promoting women’s role in the force. Palestine
Hebron women turn to at-home businesses to boost self-sufficiency In light of Israeli restrictions on residents of the Old City of Hebron, local women have turned to small projects to strengthen their steadfastness and increase their independence. Palestine
