Afghan teenage girls and young women have come forward with disturbing allegations of sexual assault by the Taliban after being arrested for wearing "bad hijab." These reports have emerged just days before a UN summit on Afghanistan, where Afghan women are set to be excluded from discussions on women's rights. According to accounts from the Afghan news service Zan Times, several young women who were detained earlier this year for their attire have revealed that they were subjected to sexual violence and assault while in custody. Tragically, some of these incidents of abuse led to suicide attempts by the victims. The harrowing testimonies shed light on the dire situation faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and action to address these human rights violations.

It has been two years since the landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe v Wade was overturned. Since then, abortion has been banned with limited exceptions in 14 states, all of which are under Republican control. This regression in women's reproductive rights marks a significant step backwards in the fight for gender equality and bodily autonomy.

Labour's Bridget Phillipson responded to JK Rowling's criticism of the party, where the Harry Potter author accused Labour of "abandoning women." Phillipson sent a message to Rowling in light of her comments.

Laura Morris, a survivor of domestic abuse, expressed relief and gratitude following a recent Supreme Court ruling that prohibits abusers from possessing firearms. Describing the decision as "personal," Morris shared that she will now be able to sleep better knowing that her abuser is no longer allowed to have a gun. This ruling marks a significant step towards protecting survivors of domestic violence and preventing further harm.

An Iranian court has overturned the death sentence of rapper Toomaj Salehi, according to his lawyer. Salehi, a 33-year-old musician, had been sentenced to death for 'corruption on Earth'. The decision to overturn the sentence comes amidst Iran's presidential election campaign, although it does not appear to be directly related to the ongoing public debates about the country's future direction, including discussions about women's rights to choose whether or not to wear the hijab. Salehi will now face a retrial.

Keir Starmer has responded to criticism from author JK Rowling, who accused the Labour Party of abandoning women who disagree with its transgender rights policy. Starmer stated that he is proud of Labour's history on women's rights and highlighted the progress made by past Labour governments in improving women's lives. Rowling had expressed concerns about supporting the party due to its stance on transgender rights. Starmer's comments come in the midst of ongoing debates within the party regarding its approach to gender issues.

The United Nations' chief representative in Afghanistan is facing criticism for not including Afghan women in the upcoming initial meeting between the Taliban and representatives from 22 countries in Qatar. The decision has sparked concerns about the exclusion of women from crucial discussions about the future of Afghanistan. The UN envoy has defended the decision, stating that the meeting is focused on political discussions and that there will be future opportunities for Afghan women to participate in the peace process. However, many are questioning why women, who have been disproportionately affected by the conflict in Afghanistan, are not being included in these important discussions. The exclusion of Afghan women from the meeting highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring gender equality and women's participation in peace processes. It is crucial that women's voices are heard and their perspectives are taken into account in efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The implementation of gender quotas in Welsh Senedd elections may face potential legal challenges, as stated in a recent report. The report highlights concerns regarding the introduction of such quotas and the possibility of them being contested in court.