This document presents a study on Protecting the Rights of Women in the ESCWA Region Through the Proper Use of UN Resolutions and International Protocols on War and Armed Conflict. This study examines international human rights instruments and mechanisms related to the protection of the rights of women living in conflict situations and their relevance and applicability in the ESCWA region. It also makes recommendations to ESCWA member countries and the international community on the development of policies and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of women in conflict situations. The recommendations also urged member countries to enact special legislation pertaining to the family, nationality and freedom of movement; to ratify CEDAW and its Optional Protocol and all war-related conventions and instruments; to adopt special measures to address the physical, economic and social challenges of refugee women; and to ensure that women are included in all aspects of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
This document represents a report on social and economic situation of Palestinian women. This report reviews the status of Palestinian women and girls during the period 2009-2010, focusing on political, social, economic and human rights developments. Building upon previously published research of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on Palestinian women and girls, and looking at the most recent data available, this report highlights their complex status, revealing both successes and setbacks in the midst of a militarized occupation, a political divideand an attempt at grass-roots State-building.
This document presents a paper on Women and participation in the arab uprisings-a struggle for justice.
This paper explores the gender dimension of the popular movements that have swept a number of Arab cities. It begins by asserting the centrality of gender in the uprisings and analyzes the different facets of women’s participation, as well as the mechanisms used by women to mobilize in different countries and the challenges they have faced. Using specific examples, the paper then explores the different means utilized by previous and emergent regimes to suppress women’s participation and refocus the discourse around issues of morality. The paper also discusses the different approaches used by women to fight back against the injustices carried out against them during and after the uprisings. It concludes by outlining the key challenges faced by Arab women today and opportunities they can benefit from as they work towards greater gender justice as part of a transition towards democracy
