Women’s rights

Speaker of the National People's Assembly, Dr. Khalida Boufedech, is pictured in this undated image.

Meet Khalida Boufedech, the first woman to lead Algeria’s parliament

Khalida Boufedech became Algeria’s first woman parliament speaker and the highest-ranking woman to hold constitutional office in the country’s history.

An activist takes part in a demonstration against sexual harassment, rape and domestic violence in the Lebanese capital Beirut on December 7, 2019. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon arrests man after video of public assault on wife goes viral

The man seen violently beating a woman at a restaurant has been arrested, but the incident has reignited debate over domestic violence amid warnings that such abuse can increase during periods of war.

MURAT KOCABAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

How ‘dog mom’ vacuum cleaner ad sparked culture war in Turkey

A Mother’s Day advertisement featuring a “dog mom” triggered a backlash from conservative media, government officials and regulators, turning a soft consumer campaign into a flashpoint over motherhood, declining birth rates, stray dogs and even antisemitism.

Kurdish people waving Kurdistan flags gather to celebrate Nowruz on the hill of Urkesh in the countryside of Amuda in northeastern Syria on March 18, 2026. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is an ancient festival that marks the start of spring and the new year on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21. It is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and has been observed for over 3,000 years across regions including the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Eastern Euro

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Iran formally allows women to drive motorcycles: What to know

Iranian instructor Maryam Ghelich stands with student Narghes as they look at Elham (3rd R), Leila and Mona, posing on their motorbikes before their lesson at a training center in northern Tehran on Dec. 7, 2025.

Culture

Lebanon’s first lady Nehmat Aoun takes center stage during Pope's visit

Adri Salido/Getty Images

Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran judicial chief orders crackdown on women defying hijab law: What to know

A couple sits facing the skyline of Tehran from Bam-e Tehran in Tehran, Iran on October 24, 2025. (Photo by Bahram / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BAHRAM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey's women step up protests against AKP, its supporters

Turkey has been a scene of female protests, from women protesting against the new law on marriage to actresses making statements on festivals.

Saudi driving decree first step in needed changes

The royal decree allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia comes at a time when the country is facing increasing international pressure, especially over its war in Yemen.

SYDNEY, NSW - JUNE 07: A pregnant woman holds her stomach June 7, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Australia is currently enjoying a baby boom, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics registering a 2.4% increase in births from 2004 to 2005, which represents the highest number of births since 1992. The Australian Federal Government has been encouraging people to have more babies, with financial incentives and the slogan by treasurer Peter Costello to "have one for mum, one for dad, and one for the country". The

Turkey to toughen laws on surrogacy

Turkey’s Ministry of Health prepares a new draft law that would prevent Turks from having children through surrogate mothers, even if abroad.

Egypt’s Christian, Muslim institutions join efforts to advance women’s issues

With the objective of raising awareness about women's issues, the National Council for Women launched a campaign in which Muslim female preachers and Christian nuns reach out to women and families throughout Egypt.

Celebrity incest scandal yanks abuse out from under Turkish rug

A scandal over a celebrity’s incestuous relationship has forced Turkey to discuss its dark secrets about widespread abuse.

Controversy erupts over women's role in political life in Egypt

The head of Egypt's National Council for Women, a government body dedicated to addressing women's issues, has stirred controversy by requesting that party leaders resign from the group.

Iran-Syria soccer game surrounded by major controversy

Iranian authorities stir controversy by allowing Syrian women to attend a soccer World Cup qualifier while refusing to let in Iranian women.

Why Turkey's brides are doing disappearing act

In the process of increasing visibility of Islamization, wedding invitations become contested territory in Turkey.

Burkini bans causing waves in Egypt

Tourist-hungry Egypt finds itself stuck in the middle of the burkini debate.

Losing faith in Rouhani, Iranian women ever defiant

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s failure to nominate a single female Cabinet minister is leading women to lose faith in his promises — but not hope in their future.

Middle East's painter-princess finally gets her due

The artistic legacy of Fahrelnissa Zeid, an interesting figure of early Turkish modern art, gets spotlight back on the international art stage through a series of exhibitions in Istanbul, London, Berlin and Beirut.

People walk at the entrance of the State Council's building, Egypt's highest administrative court in Cairo, Egypt May 17, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - S1AETLEPLWAA

Egypt's alimony reform debate begins before bill is introduced

A parliament member is looking to expedite the yearslong process Egyptian women often must go through to receive alimony when they file for divorce.