Iowa Supreme Court blocks 72-hour abortion waiting period law
The judge sided with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa in a lawsuit.
Women's rights & well-being
U.A.E. makes major strides in education, gender equality, health, and social progress
The total female workforce in the UAE in 2015 was 882,000 compared to just 10,000 in 1975.
Saudi Arabia issues driving licences to women for first time in decades
Saudi Arabia has issued driving licences to women for the first time in decades just weeks before a ban on female drivers is lifted.
Ireland votes to end abortion ban
Ireland voted decisively to repeal one of the world’s more restrictive abortion bans, dealing the latest in a series of stinging rebukes to the Roman Catholic Church.
NY City Council passes workplace anti-harassment bills
The New York City Council has passed 11 bills designed to strengthen workplace sexual harassment protections.
#MeToo justice infiltrates the aid sector as sexual exploitation allegations proliferate
Many said that despite repeated warnings going back 15 years to a then controversial report by Save the Children on the prevalence of sexual abuse in west Africa that include aid worker abuse the issue has long been ignored by managers.
Iceland becomes first country to legalize equal pay
The legislation, which came into force on Monday, the first day of 2018, makes Iceland the first country in the world to legalise equal pay between men and women.
Belgium appoints world’s first-ever female ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Belgium made the announcement this week revealing that Dominique Mineur, who currently serves as the European nation’s ambassador to the UAE, will transfer to Riyadh next summer.
Pope Francis grants all priests the authority to absolve abortions
Pope Francis has declared that abortion, which remains a “grave sin” in the eyes of the Catholic Church, can be absolved by ordinary priests for the foreseeable future instead of requiring the intervention of a bishop.
Brenda Hale sworn in as first female president of U.K.’s supreme court
The first woman appointed to be a law lord, in 2004, Hale had to wait until this week for a second woman to join her on the U.K.’s highest court.