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
Palestinians elect first female head of village in Jenin The election of a woman as head of the al-Judeida village council in the West Bank governorate of Jenin shed light on the inequalities between genders in leadership positions in Palestine. Palestine
Meet the mother of three who is Egypt's first female maestro Eman Genedy has conducted several orchestras and made a name for herself in a conservative society that frowns upon women singing, let alone conducting an orchestra. Egypt
Lebanese mountaineer speaks up for women, children from Everest summit Joyce Azzam became the first Lebanese woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge by climbing Mount Everest, and now she's going back to clean it up and set an example for others. Lebanon
Should women cover up so men can fast in Egypt? An online campaign calling for "girls to dress modestly during Ramadan" has provoked the ire of critics who see it as a veiled call for sexual harassment under the pretext of piety. Egypt
Woman heads Palestinian Health Ministry for the first time Only three women have been appointed to ministerial positions in the new Palestinian government, out of 18 ministries in total, raising the ire of activists. Palestine
Case of runaway sisters highlights ongoing plight of Saudi women After their case made international headlines this month, one of the Saudi sisters who fled abroad spoke to Al-Monitor about the kingdom’s “flawed justice system” and called on the leadership to carry through with better reforms. Saudi Arabia
Small business lending on the rise for Egyptian women Small business lending for Egyptian women has increased significantly in 2018, allowing more women, especially in rural areas, to start their own enterprises. Egypt
Inspired photographer spotlights Gaza's quiet heroines A self-taught photographer shares the stories of ordinary women in Gaza who have extraordinary stamina and drive. Palestine
Jordanian parliament rejects raising early marriage age to 16 Jordan’s parliament voted against raising the minimum age of marriage in exceptional cases from 15 to 16, disappointing many women and human rights activists. Jordan
Is Gaza set to break sexual harassment taboo? Activists from the conservative Gaza Strip recently launched the #MeTooGaza hashtag on social media to encourage sexual harassment victims to talk about their experiences and share their stories. Palestine
Has misogyny become official state policy in Turkey? With Turkish police canceling the International Women's Day march in Taksim at the last minute and the president using the drama as an electoral distraction, it's time to ask if misogyny has become an official state policy in Turkey. Turkey
Al-Azhar sheikh labels polygamy as unjust, stirs controversy Egypt’s grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, provoked controversy in Egypt by saying that polygamy can do “injustice to women and children.” Egypt
