Tunisia’s election through the eyes of women

The role of women in the new Tunisia has been a controversial issue throughout the transitional period, with some fearful that they would lose precious rights from the previous era, and others arguing for a return to traditional values. (more…)

Saudi Arabian woman sentenced to flogging for driving

A court in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, has sentenced a woman to 10 lashes for defying the kingdom’s ban on female drivers, Amnesty International said Tuesday.

News of the decision came just two days after King Abdullah surprised his ultraconservative nation by announcing that women would be given the right to vote (more…)

Saudi King says women will be members in next Shoura Council

Saudi Arabia will allow women to become full members of the Shoura Council and be candidates for the first time in future municipal elections, King Abdullah said today.

“We refuse to marginalize the role of women in Saudi society in every field of work,” Abdullah said on state television as he inaugurated a new session of the council. (more…)

Saudi woman detained for defying driving ban

Authorities detained a Saudi woman on Saturday after she launched a campaign against the driving ban for women in the ultraconservative kingdom and posted a video of herself behind the wheel on Facebook and YouTube to encourage others to copy her. (more…)

Saudi woman defies driving ban, report

A Saudi mother said Sunday she defied a ban on women drivers in the ultra-conservative kingdom by getting behind the wheel for four days without being stopped. (more…)

Syria uprising grows as women, students protest

Women, children and students took to the streets in Syria on Wednesday, lending their voices to a monthlong uprising that President Bashar Assad insists is the work of a foreign conspiracy. (more…)

Syrian Women Demand Release of Detainees

Hundreds of women and children from the Syrian village of Bayda, where large numbers of men were reportedly detained on Tuesday, marched to Syria’s main coastal highway on Wednesday, calling for the release of their husbands, fathers and sons, human rights activists told Reuters. (more…)

Syrian women block main highway

Eyewitnesses say hundreds of women and children are blocking a main coastal highway in Syria to protest the arrest of dozens of people from nearby villages in an ongoing crackdown.

The witnesses say up to 2,000 women carrying white cloths and olive branches (more…)

HRF: Egyptian authorities must act to contain violence against Christians, women

Human Rights First today voiced concern about reports of recent violent incidents in Egypt. The group notes that while instability is perhaps inevitable in this uncertain transitional period as Egypt moves towards the formation of a new democratic government, the Egyptian authorities have an obligation to prevent acts of sectarian violence, and to prevent attacks on peaceful protesters. (more…)

Egypt’s revolution means nothing if its women are not free

A mob of men attacking an International Women’s Day demo should not be allowed to happen in the new Egypt