BEIJING+10:ARAB WOMEN AT A GLANCE

BEIJING+10:ARAB WOMEN AT A GLANCE

Contents ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW)ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW)

Status of Arab women: trends and indicators, 1990-2005Status of Arab women: trends and indicators, 1990-2005 1- Health 1- Health 2- Education2- Education 3- Employment3- Employment 4- Political participation4- Political participation 5- National machineries for women5- National machineries for women

CEDAW and Arab countriesCEDAW and Arab countries

Women in IraqWomen in Iraq

ESCWA Centre for Women(ECW)

ESCWA Centre for Women(ECW)

Establishment of ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW)

The Committee on Women was established as one The Committee on Women was established as one of the subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social of the subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (SCWA) pursuant to Commission for Western Asia (SCWA) pursuant to ESCWA resolution 240(XXII) of 17 April 2003, in ESCWA resolution 240(XXII) of 17 April 2003, in which the Commission requested the Executive which the Commission requested the Executive Secretary to establish a women’s centre within the Secretary to establish a women’s centre within the secretariat with the responsibility for acting as the secretariat with the responsibility for acting as the secretariat of the Commission on Women. secretariat of the Commission on Women. The The Executive Secretary duly established the Centre Executive Secretary duly established the Centre for Women in October 2003for Women in October 2003..

MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT♀ Gender Mainstreaming for Gender EqualityGender Mainstreaming for Gender Equality♀ Improvement of Status of Arab Women and Improvement of Status of Arab Women and

their Empowermenttheir Empowerment

EconomicallyEconomically, , SociallySocially and and PoliticallyPolitically

Alleviating Alleviating poverty poverty

Encouraging Encouraging greatergreater

participation participation in in

decision-decision-makingmaking

PromotingPromotingpartnership partnership

in the Arab familyin the Arab family

WHY?WHY? Objectives

♀ To improve the status of Arab women To improve the status of Arab women

♀ To empower Arab women economically, socially and politicallyTo empower Arab women economically, socially and politically

♀ To underscore partnership in the Arab family, and family-related To underscore partnership in the Arab family, and family-related gender roles and valuesgender roles and values

♀ To raise gender awarenessTo raise gender awareness

♀ To coordinate a common position among Arab countries on women To coordinate a common position among Arab countries on women and gender issues for gender equity and equality and gender issues for gender equity and equality

WHAT?WHAT?Challenges

♀ Ensuring equal access by women to education and health Ensuring equal access by women to education and health services services

♀ Increasing the participation of women in economic activities and Increasing the participation of women in economic activities and the labour force the labour force

♀ Reducing gender imbalances particularly of poverty and Reducing gender imbalances particularly of poverty and illiteracyilliteracy

♀ Combating violence against women and gender-based violenceCombating violence against women and gender-based violence♀ Eliminating all forms of discrimination against womenEliminating all forms of discrimination against women♀ Increasing the participation of women in decision-making and Increasing the participation of women in decision-making and

power-sharingpower-sharing♀ Bridging the gap between the Bridging the gap between the de jurede jure and and de factode facto gender-related gender-related

laws and legislationlaws and legislation

HOW?HOW?Means

♀ Organize national and regional meetings in preparation for and follow-up to the Organize national and regional meetings in preparation for and follow-up to the Beijing Platform for Action and the Arab Plan of Action for the Advancement of Beijing Platform for Action and the Arab Plan of Action for the Advancement of WomenWomen

♀ Undertake pioneering and thematic researchUndertake pioneering and thematic research♀ Monitor developments in the situation of women and disseminate information Monitor developments in the situation of women and disseminate information ♀ Provide technical assistance for institutional and capacity-building of national Provide technical assistance for institutional and capacity-building of national

machineries for women and NGOsmachineries for women and NGOs♀ Formulate operational projects for empowerment of womenFormulate operational projects for empowerment of women♀ Provide advisory services in gender mainstreamingProvide advisory services in gender mainstreaming♀ Launch media campaigns to raise gender awarenessLaunch media campaigns to raise gender awareness♀ Follow-up on accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Follow-up on accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

♀ Act as a catalyst for gender mainstreaming in plans, policies and programmesAct as a catalyst for gender mainstreaming in plans, policies and programmes

♀ Serve as a forum and regional coordinator among Arab States for women and Serve as a forum and regional coordinator among Arab States for women and gender issuesgender issues

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

I. Economic dimensionI. Economic dimensionPovertyPoverty♀ Female-headed households in selected conflict-stricken Female-headed households in selected conflict-stricken

ESCWA areasESCWA areas♀ Women and poverty in the ESCWA region: issues and concernsWomen and poverty in the ESCWA region: issues and concerns♀ Feasibility and operationalization of microcredit finance Feasibility and operationalization of microcredit finance

facilities targeting poor women in urban and rural areas in facilities targeting poor women in urban and rural areas in selected Arab countriesselected Arab countries

♀ Globalization, Poverty and Gender Based Division of Labour in Globalization, Poverty and Gender Based Division of Labour in Selected Arab CountriesSelected Arab Countries

♀ The Role of Women in Agriculture and Food Processing: The The Role of Women in Agriculture and Food Processing: The Syrian Arab RepublicSyrian Arab Republic

II. Social dimension II. Social dimension FamilyFamily♀ Partnership in the Arab family: gender rolesPartnership in the Arab family: gender roles

♀ Annotated bibliography on the Arab familyAnnotated bibliography on the Arab family

♀ The Impact of Occupation, War and Armed Conflict on the Situation of the The Impact of Occupation, War and Armed Conflict on the Situation of the Family (Case studies of: Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, and Family (Case studies of: Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, and Iraq)Iraq)

♀ The Legal Frameworks and National Systems for the Protection of the The Legal Frameworks and National Systems for the Protection of the FamilyFamily

♀ The Impact of Social Policies on the FamilyThe Impact of Social Policies on the Family

♀ Forward-Looking Strategy and the Empowerment of the Arab FamilyForward-Looking Strategy and the Empowerment of the Arab Family

NGOsNGOs♀ Role of NGOs in the integrated follow-up to global conferences: assessment and visionRole of NGOs in the integrated follow-up to global conferences: assessment and vision♀ Role of NGOs in the integrated follow-up to global conferencesRole of NGOs in the integrated follow-up to global conferences♀ Role of NGOs in implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action: critical assessmentRole of NGOs in implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action: critical assessment♀ Compendium of ESCWA studies on role of NGOs in follow-up to global conferences: Compendium of ESCWA studies on role of NGOs in follow-up to global conferences:

Code of conduct for NGOs Code of conduct for NGOs

III. III. Political dimensionPolitical dimension

♀ Gender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in PalestineGender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in Palestine♀ Gender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in LebanonGender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in Lebanon♀ Gender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in YemenGender, citizenship and the role of NGOs in Yemen♀ Gender, citizenship and the roles of NGOs in the Gulf Cooperation CountriesGender, citizenship and the roles of NGOs in the Gulf Cooperation Countries

Recurrent Publications

♀ Studies on Arab Women and Development (annual, thematic) ♀ Status of Arab Women Report (biennial)♀ Country profiles on the situation of women in ESCWA member countries (posted

on the ESCWA Web Site)

Forthcoming Publications

♀ Status of Arab Women Report (2005)♀ Women and information society: use of information and communication

technologies to empower women (2005)♀ Role of women in managing natural resources and safeguarding the environment

(in cooperation with the Sustainable Development and Productivity Division,2005)♀ Gender, citizenship and role of NGOs in Egypt (2005)

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

♀ Institutional and capacity-building of national machineries for women Institutional and capacity-building of national machineries for women

♀ Empowerment of Arab women for poverty alleviationEmpowerment of Arab women for poverty alleviation

♀ Gender mainstreaming at national levelsGender mainstreaming at national levels

♀ Institutional and capacity-building of NGOs Institutional and capacity-building of NGOs

♀ Implementation of the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Implementation of the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination

Against Women (CEDAW) and reporting to the CEDAW CommitteeAgainst Women (CEDAW) and reporting to the CEDAW Committee

♀ Formulation of national and regional strategies for the empowerment Formulation of national and regional strategies for the empowerment

of women and the Arab family of women and the Arab family

♀ Development of regional indicators to monitor status of Arab women, Development of regional indicators to monitor status of Arab women,

implementation of Beijing Platform for Action and MDGsimplementation of Beijing Platform for Action and MDGs

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Launching media campaigns on Arab satellites to raise Launching media campaigns on Arab satellites to raise gender awareness:gender awareness:

Produced T.V spots on CEDAW, education, health, Produced T.V spots on CEDAW, education, health, employment, gender roles in the family, violence against employment, gender roles in the family, violence against women, political and legal rights, personal status and women, political and legal rights, personal status and family laws (nationality, inheritance, health, work, access family laws (nationality, inheritance, health, work, access to resources). (2004)to resources). (2004)

Produced a 20-minute documentary on the history of Produced a 20-minute documentary on the history of women’s social movements in the Arab world, entitled women’s social movements in the Arab world, entitled “Waves in the history of Arab women”. (2004)“Waves in the history of Arab women”. (2004)

REGIONAL MEETINGS WORKSHOPS

Arab regional preparatory meeting for the Fourth World Conference on Arab regional preparatory meeting for the Fourth World Conference on Women, Amman, 6-10 November 1994Women, Amman, 6-10 November 1994

Regional workshop on leadership and lobbying skills for Arab official Regional workshop on leadership and lobbying skills for Arab official delegations to the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beirut, 6-8 July delegations to the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beirut, 6-8 July 19951995

First Arab meeting to formulate a programme of action and mechanism for First Arab meeting to formulate a programme of action and mechanism for the follow-up to the Beijing Conference, Amman, 28-29 September 1996the follow-up to the Beijing Conference, Amman, 28-29 September 1996

Second Arab meeting for follow-up to the Beijing Conference, Beirut, 12-15 Second Arab meeting for follow-up to the Beijing Conference, Beirut, 12-15 December 1998 December 1998

““Beijing +5: Future actions and initiatives”, Beirut, 8-10 November 1999Beijing +5: Future actions and initiatives”, Beirut, 8-10 November 1999

Regional workshop in preparation for Beijing +5, Cairo, 23-27 May 2000Regional workshop in preparation for Beijing +5, Cairo, 23-27 May 2000

National workshop on “How to start a successful business enterprise” , Umm Al National workshop on “How to start a successful business enterprise” , Umm Al Moumineen Women’s Association, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, 1-13 June 2002Moumineen Women’s Association, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, 1-13 June 2002

Arab Regional meeting on the Ten-Year Review for the International Year of the Arab Regional meeting on the Ten-Year Review for the International Year of the Family, Beirut, 8-10 October 2003Family, Beirut, 8-10 October 2003

First Meeting of the ESCWA Consultative Committee on Non-Governmental First Meeting of the ESCWA Consultative Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, Beirut, 1-2 December 2003Organizations, Beirut, 1-2 December 2003

First Session of the ESCWA Committee on Women, Beirut, 3-4 December 2003First Session of the ESCWA Committee on Women, Beirut, 3-4 December 2003

Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in the ESCWA Region, Beirut, 5-6 December Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in the ESCWA Region, Beirut, 5-6 December 20032003

Regional Forum on women and information and communication technology, Cairo, Regional Forum on women and information and communication technology, Cairo, 17-19 December 200317-19 December 2003

Regional workshop on the preparation of national reports for Beijing Regional workshop on the preparation of national reports for Beijing +10, Cairo, 28 March-1 April 2004+10, Cairo, 28 March-1 April 2004

Arab Regional Conference Ten Years After Beijing: Call for Peace Arab Regional Conference Ten Years After Beijing: Call for Peace (Second Session of the ESCWA Committee on Women) , Beirut 8-10 (Second Session of the ESCWA Committee on Women) , Beirut 8-10 July 2004July 2004

Co-organized the Regional Forum on the International Year of the Co-organized the Regional Forum on the International Year of the Family, Amman, 5-6 October 2004Family, Amman, 5-6 October 2004

Participated in International Celebration for the International Year of Participated in International Celebration for the International Year of the Family, Doha, 29-30 November 2004the Family, Doha, 29-30 November 2004

Workshops on Building a New Iraq:the Role of Women in the Electoral Workshops on Building a New Iraq:the Role of Women in the Electoral Process (11-13July and 13-16 December 2004)Process (11-13July and 13-16 December 2004)

Forthcoming

• Workshops on Iraqi women (post-elections) and participation in constitution writing in cooperation with Woodrow Wilson Institute (tentative April 2005)

• Peer review group on the Status of Arab Women Report (2005). (tentative April 2005)

• Workshop on Gender mainstreaming in ESCWA (for ESCWA Staff). (tentative June 2005)

• Regional workshop on implementation of CEDAW in Arab countries

Status of Arab women: trends and indicators

1990-2005

Total Fertility Rates for 1995-2000 & 2000-2005COUNTRIES 1995-2000 2000-2005

Algeria 3.3 2.8Bahrain 2.6 2.3Comoros 5.4 5Djibouti 6.1 5.8Egypt 3.4 2.9Iraq 5.3 4.8Jordan 4.7 4.3Kuwait 2.9 2.7Lebanon 2.3 2.2Libyan A.J 3.8 3.3Mauritania 6 6Morocco 3.4 3Oman 5.9 5.5Palestine 6 5.6Qatar 3.7 3.5Saudi Arabia 6.2 5.5Somalia 7.3 7.3Sudan 4.9 4.5Syrian A.R 4 3.7Tunisia 2.3 2.1UAE 3.2 2.9Yemen 7.6 7.6ESCWA region 4.4 4.1Arab region 4.6 4.2

COUNTRIES 1995-2000 2000-2005Algeria 3.3 2.8Bahrain 2.6 2.3Comoros 5.4 5.1Djibouti 6.1 5.8Egypt 3.4 2.9Iraq 5.3 4.8Jordan 4.7 4.3Kuwait 2.9 2.7Lebanon 2.3 2.2Libya 3.8 3.3Mauritania 6.1 6.1Morocco 3.4 3.1Oman 5.9 5.5Palestine 6.1 5.6Qatar 3.7 3.5Saudi Arabia 6.2 5.5Somalia 7.3 7.3Sudan 4.9 4.5Syria 4.1 3.7Tunisia 2.3 2.1United Arab Emirates 3.2 2.9Yemen 7.6 7.6ESCWA region 4.4 4.1Arab region 4.6 4.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

AlgeriaBahrain

ComorosDjibouti

EgyptIraq

JordanKuwait

LebanonLibya

MauritaniaMorocco

OmanPalestine

QatarSaudi Arabia

SomaliaSudan

SyriaTunisia

United ArabYemen

Total fertility rates for the periods 1995-2000 and 2000-2005

1995-2000 2000-2005

Life Expectancy at Birth (1980-2005)

1980-1985 2000-20051980-19852000-2005

Algeria 62.0 71.8 60.0 68.7

Bahrain 71.4 76.3 67.1 72.1

Comoros 55.0 62.2 51.0 59.4

Djibouti 46.7 41.6 43.5 39.4

Egypt 57.8 69.9 55.3 66.7

Iraq 63.3 66.5 61.5 63.5

Jordan 65.8 72.5 61.9 69.7

Kuwait 73.7 79.0 69.6 74.9

Lebanon 68.0 75.1 63.9 71.9

Libyan A.J. 64.2 73.3 60.6 69.2

Mauritania 49.1 54.1 45.9 50.9

Morocco 60.1 70.5 56.7 66.8

Palestine 66.2 74.0 62.7 70.8

Oman 64.6 73.2 61.6 70.2

Qatar 69.8 72.1 65.4 69.4

Saudi Arabia 64.1 73.7 61.4 71.1

Somalia 44.6 50.5 41.4 47.4

Sudan 50.6 58.4 47.8 55.6

Syrian A.R. 64.4 73.1 60.8 70.6

Tunisia 63.6 72.2 62.6 69.6

UAE 71.4 78.4 67.1 74.1

Yemen 49.4 69.9 48.9 60.7

ESCWA region 65.4 72.8 62.1 69.7Arab region 61.2 68.2 58.1 65.1

WomenCountries

Men

متوقععندالوالدةحسبالجنس 2005-1990 عمرال ال

5960616263646566676869

1995-1990 2000-1995 2005-2000

women

men

Life Expectancy at Birth By Sex in the Arab region,

1990-2005

61.8

68.2

Illiteracy Rates, 2003Country Women Men

Gender gap

Algeria 39.1 21.2 18.1Bahrain 15.1 8.1 6.9Comoros n.a n.a n.aDjibouti 41.6 22.1 19.6

Egypt 53.1 31.7 21.4Iraq 75.6 44.1 31.5

Jordan 13.4 4.2 9.2Kuwait 18.3 15.1 3.3Lebanon 17.8 6.9 10.9

Libya 28.1 7.6 20.5Mauritania 68.1 48.2 19.9

Morocco 60.6 35.9 24.7Oman 32.8 17.1 15.8

Palestine n.a n.a n.aQatar 15.1 18.6 -3.6

S. Arabia 29.2 15.4 13.8Somalia n.a n.a n.aSudan 49.5 28.4 21.1Syria 36.1 10.3 27.9

Tunisia 35.7 16.1 25.8UAE 18.5 24.1 -5.5

Yemen 69.9 29.5 40.4ESCWA region 30.4 16.1 14.3

Arab region 49.1 27.1 22.1

Female Male

01020304050607080

Percentage of Illiteracy for Adults (15+) in the Arab Countries in 2003

Women 49.1%

Men 27.1%

Illiteracy Rates in the Arab Region, 2003

Distribution of university students by field of specialization and gender in selected

Arab countries, 1995/96

Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men

Bahrain 23.0 12.0 30.5 17.1 8.6 4.4 12.1 48.4 18.4 7.9 7.4 10.3

Egypt 51.8 38.9 34.1 40.6 3.0 3.2 1.5 7.2 7.1 6.1 2.5 4.0

Jordan 45.4 26.8 24.0 35.9 11.7 11.5 4.9 13.4 11.4 10.1 2.6 2.3

Kuwait 41.7 16.4 40.7 65.9 8.9 3.5 5.3 9.9 3.3 4.4 0.0 0.0

Oman 83.1 45.0 0.0 0.0 10.2 8.8 2.8 20.5 3.0 10.4 0.9 15.3

Palestine 74.4 60.2 0.0 0.0 17.1 19.7 2.8 8.1 3.8 1.8 1.9 10.2

Qatar 63.2 26.5 12.3 19.4 12.1 23.1 6.3 23.8 0.0 0.0 6.3 7.1

Saudi Arabia 82.5 71.2 5.1 8.9 8.5 4.3 0.2 10.5 2.7 3.7 1.1 1.4

Syrian A.R. 41.0 19.1 16.9 38.2 10.2 8.8 15.9 35.6 12.3 23.6 3.7 10.2

UAE 57.2 22.1 11.2 36.0 9.9 9.9 2.6 14.3 1.7 1.8 17.4 15.8

Yemen 46.6 55.8 41.8 32.4 1.3 1.8 1.9 4.0 7.9 3.8 0.5 2.3

Health and welfare

Agriculture and unspecifiedCountry

Education, arts, humanities

Business, law, social science

Science Engineering

Percentage of Women and Men in the Labour Force, 2003

COUNTRY WOMEN MEN

Algeria 28 100

Bahrain 21 79

Comoros 43 57

Djibouti n.a n.a

Egypt 30 70

Iraq 20 80

Jordan 24 76

Kuwait 23 77

Lebanon 30 70

Libyan A.J 23 77

Mauritania 43 100

Morocco 35 100

Oman 17 100

Palestine n.a n.a

Qatar 16 100

Saudi Arabia 18 100

Somalia 43 100

Sudan 30 100

Syrian A.R 27 100

Tunisia 32 100

UAE 13 100

Yemen 28 100

ESCWA region 26 74

Arab region 29 100

COUNTRY WOMEN MEN

Algeria 28 72

Bahrain 21 79

Comoros 43 57

Djibouti n.a n.a

Egypt 30 70

Iraq 20 80

Jordan 24 76

Kuwait 23 77

Lebanon 30 70

Libyan A.J 23 77

Mauritania 43 57

Morocco 35 65

Oman 17 83

Palestine n.a n.a

Qatar 16 84

Saudi Arabia 18 82

Somalia 43 57

Sudan 30 70

Syrian A.R 27 73

Tunisia 32 68

UAE 13 87

Yemen 28 72

ESCWA region 26 74

Arab region 29 71

Women 29%

Men 71%

Percentage of Women and Men in the Labour Force, 2003

Gender Distribution of labour force by economic sector in selected Arab countries

1990-2001

Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men

Bahrain 23.0 12.0 30.5 17.1 8.6 4.4 12.1 48.4 18.4 7.9 7.4 10.3

Egypt 51.8 38.9 34.1 40.6 3.0 3.2 1.5 7.2 7.1 6.1 2.5 4.0

Jordan 45.4 26.8 24.0 35.9 11.7 11.5 4.9 13.4 11.4 10.1 2.6 2.3

Kuwait 41.7 16.4 40.7 65.9 8.9 3.5 5.3 9.9 3.3 4.4 0.0 0.0

Oman 83.1 45.0 0.0 0.0 10.2 8.8 2.8 20.5 3.0 10.4 0.9 15.3

Palestine 74.4 60.2 0.0 0.0 17.1 19.7 2.8 8.1 3.8 1.8 1.9 10.2

Qatar 63.2 26.5 12.3 19.4 12.1 23.1 6.3 23.8 0.0 0.0 6.3 7.1

Saudi Arabia 82.5 71.2 5.1 8.9 8.5 4.3 0.2 10.5 2.7 3.7 1.1 1.4

Syrian A.R. 41.0 19.1 16.9 38.2 10.2 8.8 15.9 35.6 12.3 23.6 3.7 10.2

UAE 57.2 22.1 11.2 36.0 9.9 9.9 2.6 14.3 1.7 1.8 17.4 15.8

Yemen 46.6 55.8 41.8 32.4 1.3 1.8 1.9 4.0 7.9 3.8 0.5 2.3

Health and welfareAgriculture and

unspecifiedCountryEducation, arts,

humanitiesBusiness, law, social science

Science Engineering

Women and Political Participation

The political participation of women in the The political participation of women in the Arab region is still low. The majority of Arab region is still low. The majority of Arab countries have granted women the Arab countries have granted women the right to vote and stand for elections, with right to vote and stand for elections, with exceptions of certain countries.exceptions of certain countries.

CountryCountry Suffrage rights Suffrage rights (year)(year)

Total number of seats in Total number of seats in parliamentparliament

Number of women Number of women in parliamentsin parliaments

Percentage of women in Percentage of women in parliamentparliament

Women MinistersWomen Ministers

AlgeriaAlgeria 19621962 389389 2424 6.26.2 44

BahrainBahrain 19731973 n.a.n.a. 00 n.a.n.a. 22

ComorosComoros 19561956 N,a.N,a. n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. nonenone

DjiboutiDjibouti 19461946 6565 77 10.810.8 11

EgyptEgypt 19561956 454454 1111 2.42.4 22

IraqIraq 19801980 275275 8585 3131 66

JordanJordan 19741974 110110 66 5.45.4 33

KuwaitKuwait n.an.a 6565 00 n.a.n.a. nonenone

LebanonLebanon 19521952 128128 33 2.32.3 22

LibyaLibya 19641964 760760 00 n.an.a 11

MauritaniaMauritania 19611961 181181 33 1.61.6 11

MoroccoMorocco 19631963 325325 3535 10.810.8 22

OmanOman n.an.a n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. 33

PalestinePalestine 19961996 8888 55 5.75.7 22

QatarQatar 2003 (municipa)2003 (municipa) n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. 11

S. ArabiaS. Arabia n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. 00 n.a.n.a. nonenone

SomaliaSomalia n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. n.an.a 11

SudanSudan 19641964 360360 3535 9.79.7 11

SyriaSyria 1949-19531949-1953 250250 3030 12.012.0 11

TunisiaTunisia 1957-19591957-1959 183183 2222 11.511.5 33

UAEUAE n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a. 00 n.a.n.a. 11

YemenYemen 1970 (1967 South 1970 (1967 South Yemen)Yemen)

301301 11 0.30.3 11

Total Total 29702970 176176 8.5 %8.5 % 3838

Men%91.5%

Women%8.5

Women in Parliament, 2005

National Machineries for Women in Arab countries

Country National machineries for women Country National machineries for women

Algeria Supreme Council for Women Affairs Morocco Ministry of Family, Children and Disabled

Bahrain Supreme Council for Women Palestine Ministry of Women’s Affairs Comoros Oman Ministry of Social DevelopmentDjibouti Ministry of Women’s Promotion,

Family and Social Affairs Qatar Supreme Council for Family

Affairs Egypt National Council for Women Saudi Arabia Ministry of Social Affairs

Iraq Ministry of Women’s Affairs Somalia Ministry of Women and Family Affairs

Jordan Jordanian National Committee for Womenأ

Sudan Ministry of Welfare and Social Development

Kuwait National Committee for Women’s Affairs

Syrian A.R Syrian Commission for Family Affairs

Lebanon National Commission for Lebanese Women Affairs

Tunisia Ministry of Women, Family and Children’s Affairs

Libya Secretariat for Women’s Affairs UAE Women’s General UnionMauritania Ministry of Women’s Affairs Yemen Supreme Council for Women

CEDAW & Arab Countries

CEDAW & Arab Countries

Arab Countries party to CEDAW(as of December 2004)

State ratification,accession or succession State ratification,accession or succession

Algeria 22 May 1996/ a / b Saudi Arabia 7 September 2000 b/

Bahrain 18 June 2002/ a Syrian Arab Republic 28 March 2003 a /

Comoros 31 October 1994/ a Tunisia 20 September 1985 b/

Djibouti 2 December 1998 UAE 2004

Egypt 18 September 1981 b/ Yemen 30 May 1984 a /b/

Iraq 13 August 1986 a /b/

Jordan 1 July 1992 b/

Kuwait 2 September 1994 a /b/

Lebanon 21 April 1997 a /b/

Libyan A. Jamahiriya

16 may 1989 a /b/

Mauritania 10 May 2001 a/

Morocco 21 June 1993 a /b/

Oman -

Palestine -

Qatar -

Sudan -

Somalia -

a/Accession; b/Declarations or reservations; c/Reservation subsequently withdrawn, d/Succession

Reservations of Arab Countries Majority of Arab State party to CEDAW have acceded with

reservations except for : (1)Comoros; (2)Djibouti; (3) Mauritania.

Saudi Arabia (2000) and United Arab Emirates (2004) have signed and ratified but have not yet deposited instruments of accession.

Syria has signed but not ratified (2003).

Reservations of Arab Countries are mainly related to the conflict with national legislation and with Shari'a. Reservations are on six articles:

Article 2: on national legislation and constitution;

Article 7:on public life & political rights;

Article 9:on citizenship law;

Article 15: on equality in legal and civil rights;

Article 16: on Family Law: marriage and family relations including marriage,divorce, and inheritance related to Islamic Shari' a;

Article 29: on dispute settlement between parties to CEDAW

Arab countries: reservations to CEDAW

Country Article2 Article 7 Article 9 Article 15 Article 16 Article 29

Algeria X X X X X

Bahrain X X X X X

Comoros

Djibouti

Egypt X X X X

Iraq X X X X

Jordan X X X

Kuwait X X X X

Lebanon X X X

Libya X X

Mauritania

Morocco X X X X X

Saudi Arabia X X X X X X

Syrian Arab Republic

X X X X X

Tunisia X X X X

Yemen X

Concluding Remarks

Most countries did not put in place CEDAW implementation monitoring mechanisms;

Limited sufficient human & financial resources;

Limited revision or amendments were introduced into existing and obsolete laws and legislation to be in line with the spirit of CEDAW and avoid contradiction;

No significant improvement was perceived in the status of women in the countries that acceded to CEDAW;

CEDAW is being increasingly used as the framework for monitoring implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action.

Women in Iraq

Iraqi Women Trends and Statistics

The following statistics and numbers have been The following statistics and numbers have been compiled before 2005, many of these numbers compiled before 2005, many of these numbers might have changed with the devastating results of might have changed with the devastating results of the war, yet it is not possible to access new the war, yet it is not possible to access new information due to the instability in Iraq. It is information due to the instability in Iraq. It is foreseen that most of the indicators have worsened foreseen that most of the indicators have worsened after January 2004, due to the lack of sanitation after January 2004, due to the lack of sanitation service, education, safety and other major issues. service, education, safety and other major issues.

Historical Background 19321932The first Iraqi women’s magazine was launched entitled “Leila”, with The first Iraqi women’s magazine was launched entitled “Leila”, with

Paulina Hassoun as Chief EditorPaulina Hassoun as Chief Editor 19331933First Iraqi woman to remove the veilFirst Iraqi woman to remove the veil 19371937Ms. Mariam Nermeh founded the first newspaper in Iraq, a daily newspaper Ms. Mariam Nermeh founded the first newspaper in Iraq, a daily newspaper

entitled “Arab girl”entitled “Arab girl” 19411941

Ms. Sabiha al Sheikh Daoud is the first female lawyer in IraqMs. Sabiha al Sheikh Daoud is the first female lawyer in Iraq The creation of many NGOs concerned with women’s issues such as The creation of many NGOs concerned with women’s issues such as

“Iraqi Women’s league”“Iraqi Women’s league” The foundation of the General Union for Iraqi women (1941) The foundation of the General Union for Iraqi women (1941)

19591959Ms. Naziha Aldolemi was appointed the first women minister in Ms. Naziha Aldolemi was appointed the first women minister in

Iraq (and in the Arab world) and was in charge of the Ministry Iraq (and in the Arab world) and was in charge of the Ministry of Municipalities and at the same time she was the president of of Municipalities and at the same time she was the president of the Iraqi Women’s League the Iraqi Women’s League

19771977Three women entered the judicial institute during the first round for Three women entered the judicial institute during the first round for

judges to graduate in 1979 become judges judges to graduate in 1979 become judges 19801980Iraqi women got their suffrage rightsIraqi women got their suffrage rights 19861986Iraq became a state party in CEDAWIraq became a state party in CEDAW

Health Indicators1980-19901980-1990 1990-19951990-1995 1995-20031995-2003

womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen

Life Life expectanexpectancycy at at birthbirth

63.363.3 61.161.1 66.566.5 63.563.5 60.360.3 57.257.2

Fertility Fertility ratesrates 6.356.35 5.705.70 5.255.25

Infant mInfant mortalityortality rates (forates (forr every every 1000)1000)

80.880.8 75.675.6 124.7124.7 129.3129.3 89.189.1 94.194.1

Educational Indicators1987-19881987-1988 1990-19951990-1995 1995-20001995-2000

womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen

Percentage of Percentage of enrollment in enrollment in primary levelsprimary levels

4545 5555 4545 5555 4545 5555

Percentage of Percentage of enrollment in enrollment in intermediate levelsintermediate levels

3838 6262 3939 6161 3939 6161

Percentage of Percentage of enrollment in enrollment in secondary levelssecondary levels

6565 3434 3535 6565 3535 6666

Drop outs in the period 1990-2000 reached 30 percent

Illiteracy rates for 2003

women

men

75.6%44.1%

Political Participation

19801980 19851985 19901990 20002000 20032003

Total seat in Total seat in parliamentparliament

250250 250250 250250 250250 2525

Number of Number of women in women in parliamentparliament

1616 3333 2727 2020 33

% of women % of women in parliamentin parliament

66 1313 1111 88 1212

Political ParticipationIn 2004, a temporary government was established that In 2004, a temporary government was established that

included 6 women minsters:included 6 women minsters: H.E Narmin Othman, Minister of Women’s AffairsH.E Narmin Othman, Minister of Women’s Affairs H.E Nesreen Berwari, Minister of Municipalities and H.E Nesreen Berwari, Minister of Municipalities and

Public WorksPublic Works H.E Mishkat Momen, Minister of EnvironmentH.E Mishkat Momen, Minister of Environment H.E Layla Abdul Latif, Minister of LaborH.E Layla Abdul Latif, Minister of Labor H.E Pascale Warda, Minister of Displacement and H.E Pascale Warda, Minister of Displacement and

MigrationMigration H.E. Sawsan Ali Majid Al-Sharifi, Minister of AgricultureH.E. Sawsan Ali Majid Al-Sharifi, Minister of Agriculture

Participation in the labor market

19801980 19911991 20002000

Percentage of Percentage of men & womenmen & women

In the labor In the labor marketmarket

womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen womenwomen menmen

1616 8484 2323 7777 2020 8080

Concluding remarks

    Iraq continues to be in a very politically unstable and Iraq continues to be in a very politically unstable and insecure situation adversely Iraqi women. Iraqi women insecure situation adversely Iraqi women. Iraqi women are solely taking care of the basic needs of their by are solely taking care of the basic needs of their by providing food and water and ensuring their survival.providing food and water and ensuring their survival.

Wars and long years of sanctions have torn down Iraqi Wars and long years of sanctions have torn down Iraqi society. Women are always the major victims of these society. Women are always the major victims of these circumstances as their survival is a major pillar to the circumstances as their survival is a major pillar to the family's survival. family's survival.

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