Syria mandates burkinis for women at public beaches: What to know The decree has sparked concern that Syria’s new government could be veering toward a more strict Islamist governance system. Syria
Syria’s top Islamic body issues decree against honor killings: What to know US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack referred to the decision as “great first steps,” though concerns persist about the new Islamist-led government. Syria
Who is Maysaa Sabrine, first woman to lead Central Bank of Syria? Syria’s new leadership has appointed Maysaa Sabrine to head the country’s central bank, the first woman to do so in the institution’s history. Syria
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
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
Egyptian parliament approves tougher penalties for female genital mutilation Egypt's parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill stipulating tougher penalties for female genital mutilation, which remains widespread despite an official ban on the practice. The move coincided with the death of feminist author Nawal El Saadawi, who fought long and hard for an end to the procedure from which she herself suffered as a child. Egypt
Nawal el-Saadawi, renowned Egyptian writer, dies at 89 As a prominent Egyptian feminist, doctor and novelist who wrote more than 50 books on taboo social issues in a deeply conservative country, Saadawi fiercely campaigned for the end to the practice of female genital mutilation. Egypt
Biden calls Turkish exit from women’s treaty 'disheartening step backward' The Biden administration has rebuked Turkey's "unwarranted" withdrawal from the landmark Istanbul Convention. Washington Pulse
Egyptian women’s access to judiciary still limited The Egyptian State Council approved the appointment of women as members to the council and the Public Prosecution office, in tandem with the launch of a social media campaign against a personal status draft law that activists say denies women’s rights to take control of their own decisions. Egypt
Hamas appoints first woman to political bureau Hamas announced March 14 appointing a woman as a member in its political bureau for the first time since its establishment in 1987, in an attempt to improve its image to the world and deny the patriarchal aspect of its leadership structure. Palestine
Tunisian LGBT activist imprisoned after reporting police harassment The concerns of civil society organizations and the international community have grown stronger regarding restrictions on personal freedoms after a Tunisian court ruled against LGBT rights activist Rania Amdouni. Tunisia
Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sentence upheld in Riyadh court The women's rights activist had appealed her probation, which reportedly includes a five-year travel ban. Saudi Arabia
Barred from traveling by their husbands, Iranian women suffer under unjust laws While a new bill awaiting parliament’s approval aims to address gender discrimination and stop violence against women, it falls short in guaranteeing Iranian women equal rights. Iran
Online ‘auctions’ of Yazidi captives speak of ongoing Islamic State activity in Turkey The rescue of a 7-year-old Yazidi captive in Ankara raises questions about how hard Turkey is trying to tackle Islamic State militants in the country. Iraq
