This study was undertaken by the Center for Women (ECW) at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in the context of a regional programme to review progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action in the Arab region. The study was authored by Ms. Stephanie Jung, Social Affairs Officer at ESCWA. Chapter three, section A of the study (‘Women and girls’ access to health care’) benefitted from a research brief prepared by Ms. Julianne Deitch, Associate Social Affairs Officer at ESCWA. Chapter four (‘Women’s access to formal work’) draws in part from a background paper prepared by Ms. Nadereh Chamlou, independent consultant, and also reflects substantive inputs from Ms. Lamia Bulbul, independent consultant. Ms. Jade Lansing, Research Assistant, provided research inputs. Mr. Jesse Rester reviewed and edited the manuscript. The study has also benefited from the substantive contributions and comments from other ECW and ESCWA staff members
This publication was completed at the Centre for Women (ECW) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in the context of a joint project with the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) of the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA). The project, consisting of this study, two policy briefs, and an expert group meeting, reflects common strategic priorities of both UNFPA and UN-ESCWA on advancing the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, for the promotion of the rights of women and girls in the Arab region. The implementation of the project was a cooperative process involving close consultation on all substantive, conceptual, and programmatic issues between The UN-ESCWA team, and the UNFPA team.
This document represents a study on Combating Domestic Violence against Women and Girls: Policies to Empower Women in the Arab Region. This study examines the phenomenon of domestic violence against women and girls in the Arab region. It analyses its sociocultural and legal aspects and its economic impact and cost. It also reviews measures taken by Arab Governments to combat violence and the role of civil society organizations in addressing this problem at both the national and regional levels. The publication makes evidence-based policy recommendations to scale up government commitment to combat violence against women, particularly in the domestic sphere. The end goal is to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in Arab societies.
