Women's rights

Record number of women expected in next Knesset, but only seven in Netanyahu's coalition

The highest projection indicates that a record-breaking 35 women could be elected, whereas the lowest projected figure would maintain the same demographics as the current Knesset.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.
Women walk past a mural with the slogan "no to violence" (against women) drawn on the walls of a school in Syria's northern city of Manbij on December 21, 2024.

Syrian university restriction on female enrollment deepens concerns over women’s rights

Caroline Maxwell

‘Years of hell’: Jewish women describe the fight to obtain a religious divorce

An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-Israeli mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, May 26, 2026

Iran's IRGC exploits women through sex trafficking, uses children to fund proxy wars, report finds


State did not meet its obligation for equal representation of women - High Court

The petition urged the court to address the lack of women in directors-general roles in Israel's government, following the appointment of 10 men.

 THE HIGH COURT of Justice holds a session. In the past, the court ruled that women cannot be forced to take a specific seat on a bus, the writer notes.

Taliban minister flees after condemning ban on women's education - report

Senior Taliban official Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai has reportedly left Afghanistan after publicly opposing the regime's ban on women's education.

 Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, who is reported to have fled to Dubai after criticising the education ban and the Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Taliban deputy foreign minister calls for girls' high schools to open

"We request the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open the doors of education," the Taliban's acting deputy foreign minister said.

 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.

Knesset to examine Van Leer gender report of women's inequality on the rise

The report, which is due to be discussed in Knesset committees, has been sent to relevant ministries, government decision-makers, journalists, and academic researchers.

 THE RESEARCH team from the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute.

Women should feel safe and supported in spaces intended for them - editorial

Events centered on women’s empowerment must embody the values they seek to promote.

 Eilat Women's Festival advertisement

'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.