More women in Iran are choosing not to wear headscarves, months after protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police for wearing her hijab too loosely.

'What role are the village, or the State, playing, or not playing, when it comes to maternal mental health?'

Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church.

Female contributors, from politicians to civic society leaders, cannot be overlooked any longer, says Dearbhail McDonald

Marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the Peace Heroines exhibition curated by storytelling platform HerStory has gone on display at Áras an Uachtarain.

Government measures to address issues in the Defence Forces include legislation, internal and external oversight, and a programme of culture change 

A man in his 60s and woman in her 50s were arrested in the Munster region 

This St Patrick's Day, let's remember Charlotte Milligan Fox who travelled around Ireland in the early 1900s to record and publish ancient Irish tunes

International Women's Day

The crowd gathered outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, where speakers raised issues affecting gender equality

Donegal paramedic Frances Griffin is the first recipient of the award, while tributes were also paid to the late rescue pilot Dara Fitzpatrick for whom the new award is named

In a statement released on International Women’s Day, the UN mission said that Afghanistan’s rulers have shown an almost “singular focus on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped in their homes”

People are expected to gather at the Spire and march to Dáil Eireann next Wednesday, to coincide with International Women’s Day

The Cork South-West TD is an able Dáil performer — and her ability to appeal to potential new supporters makes her appointment as party leader a no-brainer, writes Paul Hosford

Two mums, now aged in their 90s, told Ryan Tubridy that they deserved to hear that Thalidomide was not their fault

Irish Medical Organisation's gender equality conference also hears that more than half of female doctors have experienced gender-based harassment

Today's studies in 'The Lancet', supported by the WHO, say public policy is not matching the 'vast economic and political power' of the baby food industry

Belarusian Sabalenka seized the initiative after dropping the opening set

Her latest victim was two-time former champion Azarenka, who was back in the semi-finals for the first time since her second title at Melbourne Park in 2013.

Fifth seed Sabalenka has arguably been the most impressive player in the women’s draw this fortnight and she maintained that form against Donna Vekic to win 6-3 6-2

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina eased into the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko.

The Belarusian is bidding to win a first grand slam title.

New Zealand's prime minister has led with authority and empathy during some of the country's most challenging times

World number one Iga Swiatek put her first-round struggles behind her as she eased past Camila Osorio at a soggy Australian Open

Afghan women and girls who once played a variety of sports say they have faced intimidation from the Taliban, including visits and phone calls warning them not to take part.

Senator Eileen Flynn also calls for the 'stigma' surrounding HPV to be challenges after her own diagnosis with the virus

Irish Rail's statutory release of data shows a 6.3% hourly wage gap in favour of female workers

The name Belinda Pereira does not have the same recognition as Sophie Toscan du Plantier, though both were murdered while visiting Ireland in December 1996

The proposal to name part of the new Macroom bypass in honour of Cumann na mBan is a step in the right direction

The suggestion to honour women's contribution in the War of Independence wins cross-party support at Cork County Council

The most up-to-date data on sexual violence in Ireland is from the groundbreaking Savi report published in 2002

Officers took part in a 24-hour operation on Tuesday as part of the 16 days of action against VAWG (violence against women and girls) international campaign.

Teenager settles High Court case regarding epilepsy drug Epilim (sodium valproate) that his mother had taken when she was pregnant

Older female workers in caring roles are more likely to be low paid — that has to change, argues Pat O'Connor

The Taliban treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan may amount to a crime against humanity and should be investigated and prosecuted under international law, a UN team of experts said on Friday. The Taliban promptly rejected the allegation.

Micheál Martin, Gabriel Scally — and all the women harmed by the Cervical Check scandal — are now calling for radical reform

Dr Gabriel Scally's final report states that women are being questioned about their association with the 221+ patient advocate group before clinicians consider treating them

If there's a Cabinet reshuffle, the Irish Thalidomide Association could end up seeking necessary medical support from their 26th minister for health. Enough already. Truly. Let’s get it done.

Mary Lou McDonald's renewed calls for reform and steps towards Irish unity won applause at the ard fheis, and the party is now seeking to win over the electorate too

'It is women in rural communities who are being left out': Families and midwives travel from Kerry, Limerick, Clare, and West Cork to protest proposed HSE changes 

Just thinking about the indomitable spirit of Mary Harper is a balm in these difficult times — and it's a reminder that age is only a number and the human spirit can be unquenchable

Bank of Ireland's new policy — announced during Menopause Awareness Week — ought to inspire other employers too

Oireachtas health committee hears of the 'chilling effect' on healthcare providers and patients of anti-abortion protests

It is 'fantastic' that Slawomir Gierlowski will spend decades in jail, but Ruth Maxwell says she and other survivors find themselves fighting all the time for everything in a dysfunctional system