Outrage sweeps Turkey over double femicide as Erdogan pledges stricter measures Activists are highlighting the government's failure to enforce existing laws to protect women. Turkey
Iran hijab laws back in spotlight as police shooting leaves woman paralyzed In a case reminiscent of Mahsa Amini's, the mother of two struggles against permanent paralysis amid a state-imposed media blackout and pressure on her family to remain silent. Iran
Iraqis protest proposed 'anti-women' amendment to personal status law Temporarily prevented from being read in parliament, an amendment to the country’s personal status law is seen as the “latest salvo” in a lengthy battle. Iraq
Women activists face 'severe sentences' in Iran, as new president vows easing of restrictions A woman labor activist was sentenced to death in Iran for allegedly belonging to an outlawed Kurdish group, as authorities continue their crackdown against any type of dissent. Iran
Egypt's legislators divided on burkinis Debates about whether women should be allowed to wear burkinis in swimming pools have been reignited in Egypt as the Arab country hopes it can use the summer season to compensate the losses its tourism sector sustained because of the Russian war on Ukraine. Egypt
Three countries where abortion is legal in the Middle East and North Africa Abortion is illegal in much of the region, and there are various legal and societal barriers to the practice in the countries where it is allowed. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Women in Yemen trapped by war, abuse Eight years have passed since the war in Yemen began, and women there continue to exist in dire situations in which they are faced not only with the hardships of displacement but also with threats, persecution, imprisonment and banishment from exercising their political rights. Gulf
Rights group spotlighting murder of women in Turkey faces legal threat A lawsuit threatens to silence Turkey's main voice on violence against women, the We Will Stop Femicides Platform. Turkey
Gaza women study self-defense against domestic violence Faten al-Naqla, a Gaza-based kung fu instructor, took it upon herself to train women in self-defense amid the rise of women’s deaths at the hands of their husbands. Palestine
Egyptians remain leery of female wedding officiants Despite progress on gender equality, seeing a woman officiating a wedding is still an odd sight for most Egyptians. Culture
On International Women's Day, Turks march in solidarity with Ukrainians Women gathered in Istanbul and other cities for the Feminist Night Walk despite bans and demonstrators taken into custody, calling for the reinstatement of the landmark UN accord on violence against women. Turkey
Women in northwest Syria take on physically demanding jobs Many women in displaced camps in northwest Syria have been forced to find jobs, often difficult and physical ones, due to the deteriorating security conditions and the absence of the family’s breadwinner. Syria
Proposed domestic violence bill prompts rare criticism of Al-Azhar sheikh Remarks by a prominent cleric saying it is permissible to hit a spouse "to preserve the family" has sparked backlash against Al-Azhar. Egypt
Turkish women decry high price of sanitary pads Women activists call on the Turkish government for a tax reduction and other measures to lower the prices of menstrual products, which have grown forbiddingly expensive amid the country’s economic turmoil. Turkey
Women-led tourism initiatives are changing the way Egypt is seen, experienced More women are gradually breaking into Egypt’s tourism sector and launching their own projects, often promoting along the way a new type of experience to visitors. Egypt
Libyan government's push to promote marriages faces backlash In the space of a few months, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh has managed to anger many Libyan women. North Africa
