Women's rights

Kyrgyz activist Altyn Kapalova won a three year-long battle to give her three children her name instead of their father's, breaking rooted patriarchal norms in the country. The Constitutional Court's ruling in her favour sparked a heated debate in society. © Altyn Kapalova

Fight Over Matronymics Sparks Political Battle in Kyrgyzstan

President proposes revision of Constitutional Court decision after ruling allows mother to give her name to her children.

4 Sep 23

Lena Mirzoyan with her pupils, who are holding the Yezidi flag. Numbering about 35,000 people, Yezidi are Armenia's largest ethnic minority. © Gayane Markosyan

Armenia’s Yezidi Girls Choose School Over Early Marriage

Despite conservative social norms that mean girls can wed as young as 14, drop-out rates are declining.

1 Jun 23

In November 2022, RFE/RL photographer Serhiy Nuzhnenko photographed the Bakhmut field hospital where Rykhlitska worked, helping a constant stream of injured Ukrainian soldiers. © Serhiy Nuzhnenko RFE/RL

The Fight Continues

Billions around the world embody the power and potential of change, but the struggle remains long.

8 Mar 23

Kenya: Women Bearing the Brunt of Climate Change

An ongoing drought has served to amplify historic gender inequalities in arid areas of the country.

8 Mar 23

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan. © Courtesy of N. Tsoi, F. Abdueva, S. Zulkaynarova and A. Yakubova.

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Women who dream of taking on combat disciplines have to first defy conservative traditions.

8 Mar 23

Women demonstrate against the rising rate of gender-based violence in Georgia. According to law enforcement agencies, since 2014 186 women were killed by their former partners; in 2022 alone 16 women were murdered. Human rights groups blame authorities' ineffective preventive measures and inadequate prosecution actions. © Gvantsa Seturidze/IWPR

Fears Rise Over Gender Violence in Georgia

Legal experts warn that the judicial system is not doing enough to convict perpetrators.

22 Dec 22

Ayten Osmanova arranges a colourful hijab in her atelier in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. The designer started her fashion business to cater for the increasing number of liberal believers who, like her, sought a modest apparel with a modern, colourful twist. © Lamyia Adilgizi

Azerbaijani Women Embrace The Headscarf

Islam is on the rise in the oil-rich, secular South Caucasus country and the hijab is a way to make a statement.

26 Jul 22

High migration and low birthrate are the key causes of Armenia's depopulation. For the first time since 1998, in the first quarter of 2022, the number of deaths registered exceeded the number of births by 609 people. © Gayane Markosyan

Armenia Faces Demographic Risks

For the first time since 1998, deaths outnumber births, escalating the country’s demographic crisis.

13 Jul 22

Departure of Ukrainian women with their children abroad affected relationships and problems in families. © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Russian Invasion Overshadows Domestic Violence in Ukraine

Experts fear that a fall in reported cases obscures a hidden epidemic.

11 Jul 22

Turkmenistan's authorities have introduced severe restrictions on women's appearance, banning beauty practices like dyed hair, manicure and fake nails and eyelashes. Since April, women are also no longer allowed to sit in the front seat of taxis and male drivers are barred from offering rides to women who are not family members. © Igor Sasin/AFP via Getty Images

Turkmenistan: Car and Beauty Bans Further Erode Women’s Rights

Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdymukhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.

9 May 22

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Women's rights

Fight Over Matronymics Sparks Political Battle in Kyrgyzstan

Armenia’s Yezidi Girls Choose School Over Early Marriage

The Fight Continues

Kenya: Women Bearing the Brunt of Climate Change

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Fears Rise Over Gender Violence in Georgia

Azerbaijani Women Embrace The Headscarf

Armenia Faces Demographic Risks

Russian Invasion Overshadows Domestic Violence in Ukraine

Turkmenistan: Car and Beauty Bans Further Erode Women’s Rights

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