Kirkuk man allegedly kills teenage wife by setting her on fire

Cases of women killing and violence against women are significantly underreported, but available data still show alarming surges in those rates.

News

Kurdish leaders reiterate commitment to equality on International Women’s Day

President Masoud Barzani also extended his wishes for a Happy International Women’s Day, praising Kurdish women for their role and sacrifices and calling them fundamental to the Kurdish struggle.

News

Iran sues marathon organizers after women run without hijab

Local conservative media outlets also condemned the marathon, deeming it disrespectful to Islamic norms.

News

Iran activist’s death sentence commuted to 30 years in prison: Lawyer

The lawyer said that the immediate risk of execution has been averted.

News

HRW urges Iraq to repeal ‘unlawful, unconstitutional’ Personal Status Law amendments

“The new Personal Status Code further institutionalizes discrimination against women, legally relegating them to second class citizens,” said Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at HRW. “It takes away women’s and girls’ agency over their lives and instead gives it to men. It should be repealed immediately.”

News

Doctor Ban and Iraq's judiciary: A crisis of confidence

The death of Dr. Ban Ziyad Tariq in Basra  has turned into a major public debate, raising doubts about the independence of Iraq’s judiciary. While the Supreme Judicial Council expressed regret over rumors surrounding the case, many Iraqis believe the doctor was killed, not that she took her own life.

Ahmed Saadawi

Opinion

Doctor Ban: Suicide or another victim of the patriarchy?

The mysterious death of Ban Ziyad, a young psychiatrist in Basra, has taken Iraq by storm, with skeptics rejecting official authorities' claims that she committed suicide; arguing instead that she was murdered by her brother

News

Iraq disqualifies women's rights activists from running in elections

Both Samarrai and Jawad are controversial figures in Iraq for their staunch advocacy of women’s rights and freedoms, criticism of Iran-affiliated armed groups, and opposition to the contentious amendments to the Personal Status Law which were passed in February.

News

US foreign aid freeze sparks crisis in Iraq’s civil society, women’s rights sector

A sweeping executive order by President Donald Trump to freeze US foreign aid for 90 days has triggered chaos in Iraq’s humanitarian sector. The halt has crippled development and relief projects, forced NGOs to shut down, and left hundreds of staff unemployed, particularly affecting women’s empowerment initiatives.

Features