Women's rights

Islamist group campaigns against Christian West Bank school over hijab restriction on deaf student

The Popular Movement to Overturn CEDAW claimed that the Ephpheta Paul VI Institute prevented a student from attending classes while wearing an Islamic head covering.

Students walk through the school of the "Our Lady of Visitation" Catholic church in the Palestinian town of Zababdeh in the northern West Bank, on April 10, 2025.
Iranian women wearing hijab walk down a street in the capital Tehran on February 7, 2018.

Iran’s judiciary chief demands crackdown on hijab compliance, claims 'nudity' distresses patriots

A police official stands guard in front of Insein Prison during an annual amnesty to mark Myanmar's independence day in Yangon on January 4, 2026.

Myanmar female prisoners face torture and neglect, rights group says

Palestinians attempt to extinguish a fire following an Israeli air strike that hit a vehicle in Gaza City, September 19, 2026.

UN report alleges Gaza war worsened sexual violence risks for Palestinian women


'Repressive and discriminatory': Int'l envoys urge Taliban to reverse policies excluding women

The session also reaffirmed the role of NGOs and humanitarian work in Afghanistan and the necessity of helping Afghans who are suffering in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

 Hosna Salehi, whose family runs a charity called the House of Kindness, writes on a white board as she teaches children inside a classroom in Herat, Afghanistan, October 27, 2024.

In Israel, we must continue providing support to victims of sexual assault - opinion

What conversations are we having with our children? If you believe 15 is too young to talk about respect, consent, and responsibility, I urge you to read about the girl from the North.

 Sexual assault (Illustrative)

Taliban forbids women from 'hearing each others voices'

In his publicly shared voice message, the Taliban minister said this restriction applies when women pray; they shouldn’t be loud enough for other women to hear. 

 An Afghan woman walks with her children on the anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2022.

Taliban official brags of growing international acceptance, defends gender apartheid laws

Taliban government deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat claimed some international bodies were using women’s rights issues as a cover and pressure tool to reach its goals. 

 Members of the Taliban carrying flags participate in a rally to mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024.

Gender equality struggles intensify for Israeli women during war

As men are called up for reserve duty, Israeli women find themselves juggling childcare, work, and household responsibilities during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

 An illustrative of the wife of a reserve soldier whose payments were taxed.

'A distressing vision for Afghanistan': UN official denounces new Taliban vice and virtue laws

“After decades of war and in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better," said UNAMA official Roza Otynbayeva.

 Afghan women arrive to receive assistance from a World Food Program (WFP) distribution centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 21, 2024.

'Speak quietly': Ashdod rabbis call for restrictive rules for women on public transport

Haredi women's rights activist Tzippy Lavi, Head of Government Relations for Nivcharot condemned the letter on X, formerly Twitter.

 Haredi woman in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, March 25, 2024.

Comptroller Englman: Why is there a 25% tax on payments for reservists' wives?

Englman said in the letter, "Compensation to spouses is an obligation of the state to reservists' families, who, in addition to being willing to risk their lives, also bear a heavy economic burden."

 STATE COMPTROLLER Matanyahu Englman condemned the assignment of female cadets in the IDF officers’ course to guard terrorists who committed violent acts of sexual assault and murder on October 7, the writer notes.

Comptroller: Not enough female representation in local municipalities

All gaps between men and women in local municipalities are deeper than they appear, given that women make up such a great proportion of municipal employees, said the report.

 Women hold signs as they protest for women equality, in Tel Aviv on August 23, 2022.

Afghan women establishing networks against Taliban to fight for rights - report

Girls are not allowed to continue their education after sixth grade in the country. They are barred from studying at university and women's secondary schools closed down.

 Taliban soldiers celebrate on the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street near the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2023.