Analysis How hijab dispute is opening new front in Iran-Azerbaijan tensions Iran's longstanding unease over Azerbaijan's strategic ties with Israel is spilling into a dispute over religious freedoms and Baku's position in the Islamic world, testing already fragile relations between the two neighbors. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran mum as Azerbaijan’s school hijab ban, Israel ties test alliance with Turkey Azerbaijan’s restrictions on Islamic dress in schools have sparked an unusual public spat with Turkey, exposing tensions beneath the allies’ close political and security ties. Turkey
Culture Rape of teenage girl shocks Tunisia: What to know Violence against children and women remains a problem in Tunisia, despite a 2017 law aimed at helping the situation. Tunisia
Culture Who is Fatima El Mansouri, Morocco’s first woman prime minister? Her appointment marks the first time a woman has served as Morocco’s head of government and the second time a woman has held the position in the Arab world. Morocco
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Stadium gates gradually open for Iranian women Years of campaigning is bearing fruit and victory seems just around the corner for civil and women's rights activists in Iran, who have gone the extra mile in convincing the state to open soccer stadiums to Iranian women. Iran
Meet the women in Lebanon’s government All eyes are on the four women appointed to Cabinet positions in Lebanon's new government, a record high in the country plagued by economic and other longstanding issues. Lebanon
Odds are stacked against Palestinian businesswomen Women are working to advance their presence in the Palestinian business world and level the playing field with their male counterparts. Palestine
Are men getting away with murder in Gaza? As more and more women die in Gaza in honor killings or in what are reported to be accidents, some are calling for tougher sanctions against the perpetrators. Palestine
Gulf women activists still face persecution despite hopes of reform Saudi Arabia's women still languish under the country's system of male guardianship, even as the case of Rahaf al-Qunun, who barricaded herself in a hotel room at the Bangkok airport, refusing to go back to Saudi, has brought renewed attention to the situation of women in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Merger of parliamentary committees further sidelines Iraqi women Feminists in Iraq are speaking out against the merger of the parliamentary committees on human rights with that on women, family and childhood, saying the latter was already overextended and insufficient to effect female advancement. Iraq
Female-only ride-hailing app to compete with Uber, Careem in Cairo Fyonka, Egypt's first all-female ride hailing service, is providing money-earning opportunities and transport for women. Egypt
Jordan’s civil society fights for more rights in Personal Status Law Rights and women activists are exerting efforts to convince Jordan’s Senate to amend several articles of the Personal Status Law that allow child marriage, and disregards women’s rights in divorce and inheritance. Jordan
Equal inheritance still struggle in Morocco While Tunisia gears up to become the first country in North Africa to achieve inheritance equality between men and women, the issue still stirs a nationwide controversy in Morocco. Morocco
Israelis raging over violence against women For the first time ever, tens of thousands of Israelis protested against violence against women, forcing the government to react. Israel
Turkey issues arrest warrants for MBS associates Turkey sends a message to Saudi Arabia and the world about the Khashoggi murder. Saudi Arabia
Baghdad policewomen's roles expand as they rise in ranks As more women join Iraqi police forces and become more visible on the streets, they believe the public — and their colleagues — will become more accepting. Iraq