Women’s rights

Bumpy road ahead for Egypt's first female Coptic governor

Women's rights activists and Christian figures rejoiced as Egypt appointed its first Coptic Christian woman as governor, but not everyone in the city of Damietta was delighted with the appointment.

Egypt

False rumor reignites row over Egypt’s mixed-gender classes

The Egyptian government once again has managed to quash a recurring false claim that men and women will be banned from attending university classes together.

Egypt

Tunisia’s next political battle: equal inheritance rights

President Beiji Cai Essebsi’s call for a law establishing equal inheritance rights for men and women has sparked debate in Tunisia, a pioneer in women's rights in the Middle East but also a largely conservative society where most people reject contradicting Sharia.

Tunisia

Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt to employ women for first time

As Egyptian women struggle to fight for their professional rights in the banking sector, the Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt announced for the first time in 38 years that it was willing to employ women.

Egypt

Comeback actress stirs hornet’s nest on hijab in Egypt

Actress Hala Shiha has changed her mind several times about her career and her attire, but her latest announcement has caused an unprecedented backlash.

Egypt

Women revolutionize Israeli air force

Together with the Mossad, the Israeli air force leads a female revolution, appointing women to senior command posts.

Israel

Egypt's feminists laud mass appointment of women as top judges

Women have been latecomers to Egypt's judiciary, but they're inching toward key posts in waves.

Egypt

Traffic policewomen, a first for Bethlehem

Women participated for the first time in organizing traffic in Bethlehem, as part of a police program aimed at promoting women’s role in the force.

Palestine

Hebron women turn to at-home businesses to boost self-sufficiency

In light of Israeli restrictions on residents of the Old City of Hebron, local women have turned to small projects to strengthen their steadfastness and increase their independence.

Palestine

Azaz conference explores boosting role of Syrian women

Women in the opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria are taking action to claim wider social, economic and political roles in the opposition-held areas.

Syria

Will Israel get its first ultra-Orthodox woman lawmaker?

Israeli ultra-Orthodox women are fed up with the exclusion from national politics, and are challenging the religious parties that prevent women from joining.

Israel

Egypt's Salafists start offering marriage counseling

A Salafi association holding premarital courses strictly for girls is raising controversy in Egypt’s religious and legal circles.

Egypt