Violence against women and girls – War Watch

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I will never forget the teacher who negotiated to be gang-raped instead of her daughter. These war crimes against women must be addressed | Hala Alkarib
ByHala Alkarib June 2, 2026

Since April 2023, Sudan’s women and girls have been subjected to systematic rape and sexual torture. Specialised support and justice for them is key to the country’s recovery and futureIn a village in South Darfur, I met a young girl about my daughter’…

Read More I will never forget the teacher who negotiated to be gang-raped instead of her daughter. These war crimes against women must be addressed | Hala Alkarib
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Child marriage | Donald Trump | Forced marriage | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Violence against women and girls | Women's rights and gender equality | World news

‘My 15-year-old relative was killed for refusing to marry her cousin. My family celebrated by dancing in the street’
ByAnonymous June 1, 2026

Horrified by the recent murder of Kawthar al-Husayjawi, one of her female relatives describes what happened – and her fears for other women and girls forced into early marriage in IraqThe men of my tribe [extended family]threw my relative Kawthar Basha…

Read More ‘My 15-year-old relative was killed for refusing to marry her cousin. My family celebrated by dancing in the street’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Europe | Gaza | Human rights | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Rape and sexual assault | Russia | Ukraine | United Nations | Violence against women and girls | World news

UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist for sexual violence in conflict
ByEmma Graham-Harrison Chief Middle East correspondent May 29, 2026

Organisation cites abuse, including rape of male detainees, by security forces of governments which have blocked UN investigatorsThe UN has added Israel and Russia to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict, citing abuse by security forces, includi…

Read More UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist for sexual violence in conflict
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Child marriage | Domestic violence | Donald Trump | Feminism | Forced marriage | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Life and style | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | Society | Violence against women and girls | Women | World news

‘Will they kill us too?’ Murder of leading feminist has chilling effect on Iraq’s activists
ByMaria Talal April 21, 2026

Yanar Mohammed’s assassination comes amid a number of killings as fellow campaigners warn women’s rights are going backwardsIn early March, two unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on Iraq’s most notable women’s rights activist, Yanar Mohamme…

Read More ‘Will they kill us too?’ Murder of leading feminist has chilling effect on Iraq’s activists
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | France | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Modern slavery | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Rape and sexual assault | Violence against women and girls

French IS member convicted of genocide for atrocities against Yazidis
ByKim Willsher March 20, 2026

Sabri Essid also found guilty of crimes against humanity after harrowing evidence from women enslaved by jihadistA French member of Islamic State has been convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed against Yazidis in a h…

Read More French IS member convicted of genocide for atrocities against Yazidis
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islam | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Society | Violence against women and girls | World news

‘There’s no going back’: Iran’s women on why they won’t stop flouting dress code laws
ByDeepa Parent December 24, 2025

Despite fresh attempts to make women cover up, many believe the regime wouldn’t risk mass arrests for fear of sparking a wave of popular unrest last seen after the killing of Mahsa AminiOn the streets of Iran’s capital, Tehran, young women are increasi…

Read More ‘There’s no going back’: Iran’s women on why they won’t stop flouting dress code laws