Women’s rights

Egyptian women’s groups unite behind domestic violence bill

Women’s organizations have prepared a bill to fight violence against women, but the measure is likely to face religious and social pushback in Egypt's conservative society.

Egypt

Egypt already may need to revisit women's inheritance law

The recently passed amendment to Egypt's Constitution regarding women's inheritance rights was hailed as a long-awaited breakthrough, but the topic might need additional legislation to ensure full equality for women, including Copts.

Egypt

Turkey’s top religious body okays divorce via text message

Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs has issued several controversial opinions, most recently one stating that men may divorce their wives via a telephone call, fax, text message or email.

Turkey

Turkish feminist artist takes on Mount Qaf

An exhibition in Istanbul by the Turkish artist CANAN defies gender stereotypes and sexual taboos, marrying the personal with the political.

Turkey

Does Egypt really need a Women's Affairs Ministry?

Egyptian member of parliament Hiyam Halawa announced a proposal for the establishment of a Ministry for Women's Affairs, but some Egyptians argue it wouldn't help advance women’s status in the country.

Egypt

Israeli women take over IDF tanks

The religious Zionist movement objects to the Israeli army's decision to train female soldiers as tank crews.

Israel

Egyptian women get inheritance rights

The Egyptian parliament passed a law guaranteeing women’s rights to inheritance, which was widely welcomed, especially by women in Upper Egypt.

Egypt

Turkey’s girls, women struggle with body image

A Turkish woman who died following gastric sleeve surgery has revived the debate about women’s body image in Turkey.

Turkey

Women carve niche in Gaza's small theater world

Three determined Gazan women have established their own all-female theater production company.

Palestine

#MeToo movement is stillborn in Turkey

The #MeToo movement has focused on violence in Turkey with significant support, but the attackers are neither named nor punished, and sexual misconduct is still a taboo subject, so its victims often suffer alone in shame.

Turkey

Nightclubs, cafes still risky business for Iraqi women

Young women working in Iraq's nightclubs, casinos and even cafes often find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous business owners and even mafiosos, in addition to suffering from public condemnation and little government protection.

Iraq

Women join opposition police forces in Aleppo’s liberated areas

With the help of Turkish trainers, the first batch of policewomen graduated from the opposition’s National Police and Public Security Forces in the areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield in the countryside of Aleppo.

Syria