Country Context

A stronghold of the Catholic Church, the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta’s culture and norms are firmly rooted in religious tradition. Despite the country progressing in civil freedoms, such as the introduction of the right to divorce in 2011 and a marked increase in female participation within the workforce, the fight for reproductive rights and against violence directed at women continues.

Since the 2011 uprising, the ongoing reality proves that 10 years on, Libyan women are still in the same place in terms of their rights, fighting every day for their basic rights but without achieving any notable results or impact.

Since the 2000s, the status of women in Morocco has seen encouraging progress. Democratic openness has fostered the emergence of the movement of women, just as it has, conversely, contributed to the democratic transition. However, while progress is undeniable, gender parity has not been achieved and remains a major challenge for the country.

According to the Gender Equality Index of European Institute for Gender Equality, with 57.9 out of 100 points, Croatia ranks 20th in the EU on the Gender Equality Index. Croatia’s score is 10.0 points below the EU’s score...

In Lebanon, unlike most Arab countries, the state follows no religion. While equality between citizens is a principle enshrined in the constitution, it is not reflected in many of the legislations, measures and practices impacting different aspects of citizens’ lives, especially the personal status sectarian laws which govern most personal family affairs in the country.

When it comes to gender equality in Montenegro, the key legislations are the “Law on Gender Equality” adopted in 2007 (and amended in 2015) and the “Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination” adopted in 2011. However, the implementation of laws in Montenegro remains weak.

In return for their heroic role and their partnership with men in all areas of the liberation struggle, women are 'rewarded' with a worrying quality of life and rights situation.

Feminists in Spain demand a radical end to the structural discrimination of women and the precariousness and poverty of women, and demand to stop the growing evolutionist agenda of the far right in the country.

Women’s organizations in Turkey are still actively fighting against domestic violence, reduced sentences on grounds of “provocation” in femicide cases, lack of women’s participation in the workforce and political representation, and all forms of gender-based discrimination. There are also advocacy campaigns for the right to self-defense of victims of violence.

The feminist movement in Egypt is regarded as the oldest organized feminist movement in the Arab world; it evolved in the last quarter of the 19th century, and the first women’s NGO was established in 1891.