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
Gaza court revises women’s travel restrictions after backlash Outrage erupted in the Gaza Strip after a judge issued a ruling banning unmarried women from traveling without the consent of a male guardian, yet a revised ruling doesn't go far enough, activists say. Palestine
Israeli Labor picks gender warrior Michaeli as its new leader Polls indicate that the election of gender-equality activist Merav Michaeli to head the struggling labor party was a good pick. Israel
Egypt’s first female MMA fighter blazes trail for more women Aya Saeid has become Egypt’s first MMA fighter by breaking stereotypes in the patriarchal society. Egypt
How female politicians in Turkey's ruling party help strengthen patriarchy Female representatives of Turkey's ruling party have been a useful tool to expand patriarchal policies. Turkey
Facebook launches partnership with Egypt to protect women from cyber harassment Egypt’s National Council for Women teams up with Facebook for extra online security and protection for female users prone to online harassment and violation of their personal freedoms. Originals
Lebanon passes law criminalizing sexual harassment Lebanese lawmakers broadened what constitutes domestic violence but did not specifically outlaw marital rape. Lebanon
Me Too movement rattles Turkey’s literary world Turkish literary scene becomes a new battlefront in the women’s movement as female writers, editors and translators pour out their stories of abuse and one author commits suicide. Turkey
Egypt moves fight against harassment to its trains The Egyptian National Railways launched a new campaign to combat harassment on public transport, namely on trains, calling on women to report any incident they encounter. Egypt
Honor killings against women increase in southeast Syrian city Civil activists protested the lack of judiciary against domestic violence and honor killings, launching the hashtag “Our blood is on your hands” and calling on the government to consider honor killings as a crime to prevent the death of more women. Syria
Women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to stand trial in Saudi Arabia Loujain al-Hathloul will appear in a Saudi court Wednesday more than two years after she was first detained in a crackdown on human rights defenders. Saudi Arabia
Qatar reveals disturbing details and expresses 'regret' regarding strip-search of women at airport The Gulf state is under fire after women headed to Australia said they were forcibly searched in an attempt to see whether they had recently given birth to a newborn found alive in a trash can at Doha's airport. Qatar
Why women in Egypt continue to face violence The killing of a young woman during a robbery in the streets of Cairo has raised the ire of activists, who continue to call for legislation to protect women against violence. Egypt
