Women’s rights

Child rape and security forces’ behavior spark outcry in Iraq

Violent crimes perpetrated against Iraqi women and girls has led to outrage and renewed calls for women to have greater representation and decision-making opportunities in the country, as all-male government formation talks continue.

Iraq

Kuwait women allowed into military as struggles for rights continue

Women are now allowed to enroll in Kuwait’s military, but will not participate in combat; they will be only working in support units, like medical, administrative, and technical departments.

Legacy: Gulf

Many female candidates' faces hidden as West Bank votes

During campaigning for the local council elections in the West Bank, the photos of many female candidates were withheld.

Palestine

Hard-won women's rights at stake in wake of Sudan coup

Militarization of civilian spaces, strongly contested by Sudanese women, has resulted in dozens of assaults, arrests and killings, and threatens their presence, movements and lives.

Egypt

Mr. Olympia Big Ramy's second marriage sparks debate over polygamy in Egypt

The news of Mr. Olympia, otherwise known as Big Ramy, marrying for the second time without the knowledge of his first wife sparked controversy in Egypt, especially in the wake of statements whereby an Islamic preacher denied a woman’s right to ask for divorce when her husband marries another.

Egypt

Women face obstacles in bid for Libyan presidency

Libyans are going to the polls in less than a month to elect their first-ever president, and two women are in the running.

North Africa

UK nominates documentary on femicide in Turkey for Oscars

“Dying to Divorce,” the United Kingdom’s official entry into the Academy Awards for best international feature film, tells the story of Turkey’s gender-based violence victims, femicide and the inability of the legal system to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

Turkey

Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington.

Qatar

Egypt appoints first woman president of National Council for Human Rights

For the first time in history, Egypt appointed Egyptian diplomat Moushira Khattab to lead the National Council for Human Rights,

Egypt

Turks demand protection after woman killed with sword

In the wake of a headline-making femicide in Istanbul, activists and politicians have revived calls to return to the Istanbul Convention.

Turkey

New Abu Dhabi law allows civil marriage for non-Muslims

The decree from Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan also establishes a court to handle non-Muslim family matters.

United Arab Emirates

Egyptians want preacher who justified violence against women stopped

The statements of an Egyptian preacher who justified violence against women raised the ire of social media users and prompted activists to demand that he be prevented from appearing in the media.

Egypt