Turkey's Erdogan acknowledges 'alarming' rise in violence against women After one of the deadliest months for femicides, the Turkish president highlights the country’s surge in violence against women but provides little reassurance to rights groups. Turkey
Iran mulls lifting ban on women driving motorcycles: What to know Women face a number of restrictions in Iran, among them an effective prohibition on riding motorcycles. Iran
Turkey’s top religious body sparks outrage over women’s inheritance rights Women rights activists say that the body is increasingly targeting women, challenging secular law and fostering conditions for gender-based violence. Turkey
Opposition slams Erdogan after 9 killed in deadly week for Turkish women Activists say the government’s rollback of legal protections and state-backed religious sermons are fueling gender-based violence and restricting women’s freedom. Turkey
Mr. Olympia Big Ramy's second marriage sparks debate over polygamy in Egypt The news of Mr. Olympia, otherwise known as Big Ramy, marrying for the second time without the knowledge of his first wife sparked controversy in Egypt, especially in the wake of statements whereby an Islamic preacher denied a woman’s right to ask for divorce when her husband marries another. Egypt
Women face obstacles in bid for Libyan presidency Libyans are going to the polls in less than a month to elect their first-ever president, and two women are in the running. North Africa
UK nominates documentary on femicide in Turkey for Oscars “Dying to Divorce,” the United Kingdom’s official entry into the Academy Awards for best international feature film, tells the story of Turkey’s gender-based violence victims, femicide and the inability of the legal system to bring the perpetrators to justice. Turkey
Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington. Qatar
Egypt appoints first woman president of National Council for Human Rights For the first time in history, Egypt appointed Egyptian diplomat Moushira Khattab to lead the National Council for Human Rights, Egypt
Turks demand protection after woman killed with sword In the wake of a headline-making femicide in Istanbul, activists and politicians have revived calls to return to the Istanbul Convention. Turkey
New Abu Dhabi law allows civil marriage for non-Muslims The decree from Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan also establishes a court to handle non-Muslim family matters. United Arab Emirates
Egyptians want preacher who justified violence against women stopped The statements of an Egyptian preacher who justified violence against women raised the ire of social media users and prompted activists to demand that he be prevented from appearing in the media. Egypt
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta denounces fatwa on marital intimacy A fatwa by an unofficial body on the number of times a husband must have intercourse with his wife sparked controversy on social media, prompting Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta to denounce the fatwa as it belittles women’s rights. Egypt
Palestinian NGO to form network in Gaza for women affected by war The Center for Women's Affairs in the Gaza Strip announced that it will establish a national network to develop plans to support women in times of crisis and war. Palestine
Female volunteers in northwestern Syria raise awareness of breast cancer Volunteers raise breast cancer awareness among women in opposition areas in northwestern Syria, where access to health care is limited. Syria
Gazan women find haven at ladies-only pools More resorts in the Gaza Strip are offering ladies-only swimming pools, allowing women to relax and enjoy the sun away from public eyes. Palestine
