This ongoing series highlights women’s news and information about foreign policy. This week’s post covers June 24 to July 01.

Nigeria

Female-led tech firm, Herconomy, backed by Google under its Black Founders Fund, is set to build Africa’s first women-focused bank in Nigeria.

Google for Startups unveiled the 25 African startups selected for this year’s $4 million Black Founders Fund with Herconomy selected from a cohort of 40 startups.

“Herconomy is breaking new ground in the fintech sector with its goal to become Africa’s first women-focused bank. Herconomy has been awarded the fund as well as up to $200,000 in cloud credits, ad support, one-on-one mentoring by industry experts and invaluable connections within Google’s network,” founder Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti said.

Read more here.

Japan

Japan has approved the sale of emergency contraceptives on a trial basis without a prescription. These pills will be available through March 2024 at pharmacies.

Earlier this year, the Japanese government approved abortion pills for terminating pregnancies up to nine weeks.

Read more here.

Iran

Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian Football Federation, has promised to allow women into stadiums. Taj said he has approval from the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the past, Iranian women were granted limited access to stadiums on a few occasions during national competitions. Last year, Iran denied women entry to a soccer stadium to watch an international match.

“The presence of women is no longer up for debate. Women will be present in stadiums such as Gol Gohar, Sepahan, Zob Ahan and Ghadir Ahvaz, which are deemed suitable. Azadi Stadium should also make necessary preparations,” Taj said

Read more here.

France

France’s top court has upheld a ban on women football players wearing Islamic hijab headscarves.

A group of Muslim footballers called the “Hijabeuses” launched the action against the French Football Federation (FFF), whose rules currently ban the headscarves in competition along with “any sign or clothing clearly showing political, philosophical, religious or union affiliation”.

Read more here.

Europe

The European Union has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Also known as the “Istanbul Convention,” the treaty has been signed by all EU Member States and ratified by the EU and thirty-seven of forty-six Council of Europe countries.

This treaty creates a legal framework at the pan-European level to protect, prevent, and prosecute all instances of violence against women.

Read more here.