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
Leaked video shows Khamenei aide's daughter in Western wedding gown amid Iran's hijab crackdown Senior Iranian official Ali Shamkhani faced criticism online after video surfaced of his daughter’s extravagant wedding. Iran
Iran adding 80,000 personnel to enforce hijab in Tehran province Iran scrapped a stricter law on women’s head coverings last year and some women are now defying the restrictions altogether. Iran
As Syria finalizes candidates for parliament, women make up 14% of list Syria’s parliamentary elections are set for Sunday, when electoral committees will select 140 lawmakers before President Ahmed al-Sharaa appoints the remaining 70. Syria
Relatives murder Syrian girl in honor killing The killing of an 18-year-old girl who refused to marry her cousin at the hands of her relatives in the countryside of Hasakah sparked anger and ignited controversy on social media. Syria
Egypt arrests TikTok influencer over 'human trafficking' A Cairo court sentenced university student Haneen Hossam to 10 years in prison and fined her 200,000 Egyptian pounds. Egypt
Syria's Idlib University bans mixed-gender online groups Idlib University, managed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s government in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, issued a decision banning mixed-gender groups on social media, causing uproar and division among students. Syria
All-women's cafe in opposition-held Idlib stirs controversy Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, witnessed the opening of its first female coffee shop in what some deemed a type of discrimination against women. Others saw it as an outlet for women to escape the prevailing patriarchy in the Syrian opposition areas. Syria
Saudi Arabia allows women to register for hajj without male guardian Women can register "along with other women" for the Islamic pilgrimage this year. News Brief
Why women are calling for Turkey's only female cabinet member to resign The Turkish minister of family and social affairs' description of a domestic violence uptick as “tolerable” is seen as emblematic of government efforts to underestimate gender-based violence and femicides in the country. Turkey
Palestinian women in Jerusalem in crossfire of Israeli Police, settlers In light of the recent Israeli Police and settlers’ attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Jerusalemite women have been remarkably present, taking part in the demonstrations and using social media to share the suffering of Jerusalemites. Palestine
Erdogan’s midnight decrees give Turkey nightmares The overnight decrees increasingly governing Turkey have become a source of livid satire and agony for millions of Turks. Turkey
Assault on female reporter for not wearing hijab sparks backlash in Gaza A female reporter was recently insulted and physically assaulted for not wearing the Islamic headscarf, which renewed the debate about women’s rights in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Palestine
Mosul women fight Islamic State legacy with sports, arts events Mosul women seek to erase their painful memories of IS by holding various activities for women. Iraq
Murder in Kuwait stirs outrage over violence against women Farah Akbar was killed this week by a man who was arrested but released on bail after threatening to kill her. Kuwait
Will Syrian women get wider representation in opposition? The Syrian opposition is working to empower women and increase their participation at the political level, amid low female representation in official institutions. Syria
