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
Can songs help to halt female genital mutilation, early marriage in Egypt? In a new project, the UNFPA in Egypt is using popular singers and youth bands to create awareness of gender inequality and family planning. Egypt
Iranian teenage dancer's arrest sparks backlash as tolerance for radicalism drops The backlash in the wake of Iran’s arrest of an Iranian teenage girl for posting dance clips on social media highlights significantly reduced tolerance for hard-liner excesses among the public. Iran
Woman elected to head opposition council in western Aleppo The new leader of the opposition council in western Aleppo plans to implement projects to benefit women and develop their potential. Syria
Violence against women at center of debate on landmark bill in Iran A landmark bill to expand the legal definition of violence against women remains stalled amid objections from the Iranian judiciary. Iran
Play challenges deadly Egyptian wedding night tradition A daring new play called "Wedding Night" casts a critical eye on Egypt's archaic traditions that make some young couples' wedding nights a nightmare. Egypt
Will Tunis' first female mayor advocate for women’s rights? Tunis' city council has elected its first female mayor from the Ennahda movement, yet some critics are wary of whether the new mayor will be a strong advocate for women. Tunisia
Iranian women's movement pushes for more rights, at its own pace Faced with calls for radical change from abroad, Iran's activists for women’s rights keep pushing their own agenda at home at their own pace. Iran
Instant verbal divorce rips families apart in Iran's Kurdish region An uncommon Sunni practice granting immediate verbal divorce has wreaked havoc on the lives of many Kurdish-Iranian families, and some legal and religious parties argue it should be abolished. Iran
Women's center opens its doors to formerly displaced in Iraq's Qaraqosh In the predominantly Christian city of Qaraqosh, where almost one-third of the previous population returned after the liberation from the Islamic State, Women's House has been founded to assist and support displaced and vulnerable women. Iraq
Egyptian women look to boost presence in police force Although women have made increasing progress in entering Egypt’s police force, they still face many obstacles. Egypt
Film about Egyptian superstar a hit everywhere but Egypt In Europe, Iranian director Shirin Neshat’s "Looking for Oum Kulthum" is seen as a landmark artistic collaboration across the Middle East, but Egyptian critics are unimpressed with its historical inaccuracies. Egypt
Iranian women win big in fight over right to watch soccer games Iranian women were allowed into Azadi stadium to watch a soccer game alongside men for the first time since the 1979 revolution. Iran
