Gender & Citizenship Initiative in the Arab Region: Publications: Studies, Articles, Lessons Learned [ alphabetical ]

- Studies, Articles, Lessons Learned [sort by year]
- Reports and Reviews
- Books, Guides and Manuals
- Other Publications

Palestinian Women Between Reality and Aspiration [Arabic]. 2007
This study discusses the condition of Palestinian women in 3 main domains: the first domain follows up the development of Palestinian women in modern history; the second domain discusses Palestinian women and development issues; the third domain deals with political participation of Palestinian women. The study draws several conclusions about these issues.

Political Participation of Palestinian Women [Arabic]. 2006
This study discusses the meaning of political participation, especially in the case of Palestinian women.

The Condition of Rural Women and Gender Issues [Arabic]. 2004
This study discusses the condition of rural women, especially in terms of reproductive health, family planning and gender issues.

Women and Development in Qatari Society [Arabic]. 2003
This is an analytical study of the condition of Qatari women and human development opportunities open to Qatari women.

Women’s Image In Stories Written by Emirates Females [Arabic]. 2006
This study discusses how female writers present the image of women in their stories and novels from a feminist outlook.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Legal Research of Egypt's Nationality Laws [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study examines Egyptian nationality law and the conditions of passing the nationality to the children of an Egyptian woman married to a non-Egyptian man.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Legal Research of Morocco's Nationality Laws [French]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study examines Moroccan nationality law and the conditions of passing the nationality to the children of a Moroccan woman married to a no-Moroccan man.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Legal Research of Syria's Nationality Laws [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study examines Syrian nationality law and the conditions of passing the nationality to the children of a Syrian woman married to a no-Syrian man.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Legal Research of Yemen's Nationality Laws [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study examines Yemeni nationality law and the conditions of passing the nationality to the children of a Yemeni woman married to a no-Yemeni man.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Research on Nationality in Egypt [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study discusses major problems faced by Egyptian women married to non-Egyptians who suffer as a result of being unable to bestow their nationality on their children and husbands

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Research on Nationality in Jordan [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study discusses major problems faced by Jordanian women married to non-Jordanians who suffer as a result of being unable to bestow their nationality on their children and husbands

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Research on Nationality in Morocco [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
This study examines Moroccan nationality law and issues faced by Moroccan women married to non-Moroccans who suffer from denial of Moroccan citizenship to their husbands and children.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Research on Nationality in Syria [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
A study of issues faced by Syrian women married to non-Syrians who suffer from denial of Syrian citizenship to their husbands and children.

Arab Women the Case of Denial of Nationality - Statistical Study on Nationality in Jordan [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
Statistical Study on Nationality in Jordan.

Arab Women: Towards Equal Citizenship? Concept Note [English]. 2003 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR)..
By Heba El-Kholy presented at the World Bank's Fourth Development Forum (MDF4) roundtable on Women in the Arab World: Towards Equal Citizenship, 2002.

Bahraini Women In Figures [Arabic]. 2006
This study discusses statistical findings pertaining to advances achieved by Bahraini women in the spheres of health and education as well as in economic, social and political spheres.

Brief on the Status of Women's Rights in Lebanon [English][Arabic]. - Lebanese NGO Forum - Women's Rights Monitor..
The page provides access to brief reviews of the Lebanese women’s right, government’s policies to diminish discrimination against women, women’s advocacy groups and their reports to the UN CEDAW’s Committee.

Building a New Iraq: Women’s Role in Reconstruction Women’s Role in Strengthening Civil Society [English]. 2003 - Initiative for Inclusive Security.
The findings and conclusions of the Woodrow Wilson International Center and Women Waging Peace joint project entitled "Conflict Prevention Project: Middle East". The document discusses the changes that must be implemented in the fields of civil society, constitution, legislation, governance and democracy and security to ensure the rehabilitation, progression and improvement of women's conditions and status in post-conflict Iraq.

Building Democracy in Jordan: Women's Political Participation, Political Party Life and Democratic Election [English][Arabic]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
This report discussed women's participation in public life and its impact on women in Jordan, the political parties and the electoral systems in Jordan.

Building Democracy in Yemen: Women's Political Participation, Political Party Life and Democratic Elections [English][Arabic]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
This report discussed the political participation by Yemeni women, the constitutional and legal Bases of Party Pluralism in Yemen and the impact of their implementation.

Domestic Violence and Shari’a: A Comparative Study of Muslim Societies in the Middle East, Africa and Asia [English]. 2001
An article by Lisa Hajjar provided by the Emory University- Islamic Family Law web site. The article is a comparative assessment of the rights of women and the domestic violence in Muslim societies in the Middle East, Africa and Asia with a focus on the functions and uses of religious and other legal texts.

Electoral Processes in Selected Countries of the Middle East: A Case Study [English]. 2004 - Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.
This paper attempts to give a brief analysis and assessment of how the electoral process in Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan was supportive, or not, of women’s participation, and then identify commonalities and differences which might help in drawing conclusions and recommendations on how to better support women’s full participation in elections in the Arab region as a whole, and possibly other post-conflict countries.

Empowering Ourselves: The Role of Women's NGOs in the Enforcement of the Women's Convention [English]. 1999 - International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific.
This article explores the involvement of women's NGOs in enforcing the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and demonstrates that they have become major players in the national and international system, and have significant effects in enforcing the treaty obligations of States who have ratified it.

Encounter Between Feminism and Reformism in Contemporary Iran [English]. 2001 - United Nations - Research Institute for Social Development..
By Parvin Paidar. The United Nations- Research Institute for Social Development- Gender Justice, Development and Rights Project, 2000-2002.

Fact Sheet on Women and Decision-Making [English]. 1996 - United Nations - Women Watch - Division for the Advancement of Women..
Fact Sheet on Women in Government as at January 1996. The UN Division for the Advancement of Women has created a statistical database on women in the executive branch of governments. Data for 187 countries was extracted form information published in the 1996 Edition of the Worldwide Government Directory (Worldwide Government Directories, Inc.).

Family Laws and Citizenship [English][Arabic][French]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR)..
Soukeina Bouraoui's presentation at the World Bank's Fourth Development Forum (MDF4) roundtable on Women in the Arab World: Towards Equal Citizenship, 2002.

Family Status Issues Among Egypt's Copts: A Brief Overview [English]. 2007 - Middle East Review Of International Affairs.
The following article discusses the impact of the Egyptian Family Status Law of 1955 (which is still in effect) on the country's Coptic population. It provides a concise overview of these laws, especially in light of the dearth of resources in English on the topic.

Feminism and Islam [English]. - London School of Oriental and African Studies - Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Law..
Feminism and Islam: Legal and Literary Perspectives, introduction, by Mai Yamani. The book addresses the obstacles facing women in their bid at equality in areas of family law and civil rights.

Fiscal Policy, Accountability and Voice - the Example of Gender Responsive Budget Initiatives [English]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Regional Bureau of Arab States.
This is a background paper of the Human Development Report 2002. The paper analyses participatory budgeting and analysis -whether it is pro-poor, environment-sensitive or gender responsive – and offers innovative means for ensuring government accountability to international and national commitments as well as a more balanced distribution of public resources.

For an amendment that guarantees the right of Moroccan women to pass on their nationality to their children, and that activates their human rights [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
A summary of an interjection by the "Democratic Society of Moroccan Women" in context of its mission and goals that are based on two principles: passing on nationality to children as a part of women's right to full citizenship status and a right of the child to the components of his identity; the need to end the tragic consequences of the existing nationality law on the lives of most women and children.

From WID to GAD: Conceptual Shifts in the Women and Development Discourse [English]. 1995 - United Nations - Research Institute for Social Development..
From WID to GAD: Conceptual Shifts in the Women and Development Discourse, by Shahrashoub Razavi and Carol Miller. Occasional Paper No. 1- United Nations, Fourth World Conference on Women, February 1995. This paper, provides an introduction to "women and development" by tracing the main trends in the way women's issues have been conceptualized - women in development (WID) and gender and development (GAD) - in the development context.

Full Citizenship for Women is a Legal and National Right [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
Paper presented by Dr. Kadija Abdelhadi El Mahmeed - Kuwait.

Gender and Citizenship in the Arab World [English][Arabic][French]. 2002 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR)..
By Suad Joseph, presented at the World Bank's Fourth Development Forum (MDF4) roundtable on Women in the Arab World: Towards Equal Citizenship, 2002.

Gender and Nationality Regional Meeting - Minutes of the Beirut meeting, February 2003 [Arabic]. 2003 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR), and the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD).
The second regional meeting that was held in Beirut, Lebanon, February 28-29, 2003.

Gender Budgets Make Cents: Understanding Gender Responsive Budgets [English]. 2002 - International Budget Project.
This publication provides a comprehensive understanding of gender responsive budgets.

Gender Equality and Human Development: The Instrumental Rationale [English]. 2005 - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This paper focuses on the social pathways through which women’s access to resources might operate to improve their own and their children’s welfare. The author considers some of the evidence linking women’s access to various kinds of resources to fertility rates, children’s health and mortality rates, children’s education and women’s own health and well-being.

Gender Issues and Concerns in Financing for Development [English]. 2004 - United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.
The objective of this background paper is to use a gendered approach in examining the development financing strategies endorsed in the 2002 Monterrey Consensus. The paper seeks to identify what needs to be done to ensure that gender perspectives are incorporated in the global effort for economic and gender justice, peace and the realization of human rights.

Gender Justice and Accountability in Peace Support Operations: Closing the Gaps [English]. 2004 - International Alert.
The goal of this policy briefing is to provide a focused look at the challenges and obstacles to ensuring gender justice and accountability in the context of international peace support operations (PSOs) and to provide recommendations for UN and regional peacekeeping bodies responsible for peacekeeping.

Gender Justice, Development and Rights [English]. 2003 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
Twelve studies were commissioned under the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) research project. The studies focus on the contemporary issues of neo-liberal policies, democracy and multiculturalism. This paper provides an overview of the issues and findings of these studies.

Gender Mainstreaming [English]. 1995 - United Nations - Research Institute for Social Development..
A Study of Efforts by the UNDP, the World Bank and ILO to Institutionalize Gender Issues, by Shahra Razavi and Carol Miller. Occasional Paper No. 4, UN Fourth World Conference on Women, August 1995. The paper provides an account of efforts to mainstream gender in three multilateral development agencies (UNDP, World Bank and ILO) in response to the pressures that have been brought upon them by the Women in Development movement. Section One sets out the conceptual underpinnings of feminist attempts to promote women's concerns within development institutions. Section One also looks at the factors which condition organizational response to outside pressures for change. Section Two, Three and four review and analyze the experiences of the UNDP, the World Bank and the ILO respectively in institutionalizing Women in Development /gender. Section Five draws together the main points emerging from the three core sections.

Gender Mainstreaming in UNDP' Country Programmes: Global Experiences and Lessons [English]. 1998 - United Nations Development Programme - Gender in Development Programme..
Alicia Mondesire analyzed the UNDP's gender mainstreaming experiences and lessons in fifteen countries, April 1998.

Gender, Governance and the ‘Feminisation of Poverty’ [English]. 1999 - United Nations Development Programme.
This paper summarizes thinking on the theoretical and empirical relationships between gender inequality and poverty, including reflection on how these relationships have been articulated in development policy discourse.

How the US Erase Women’s Rights in Iraq [English]. 2005 - Center for Research on Globalization.
Under the new U.S.-crafted constitution, which was put to referendum on the 15 October while the bloodbath mounts each day, women’s rights will be oppressed and the role of women in Iraqi society will be curtailed and relegated to the caring for “children and the elderly”.

Ijtihad and its Role in Reducing the CEDAW Reservations of the Arab Countries [Arabic]. 2005

Iraqi Women and Violence [Arabic]. 2006
This study is an international research work on violence against Iraqi women and on the oppression they are exposed to.

Iraqi Women Under US Occupation [English]. 2005 - Center for Research on Globalization.
In addition to torture, sexual violence and rape by U.S. Occupation forces, a great number of Iraqi women and girls are kept locked up in their homes by a very real fear of abduction and criminal abuse. Since the invasion of Iraq, Iraqi women have been denied their human rights, including the right to health, education and employment.

Islam and Women's Rights [Arabic]. 2005

Islamic Family Law [English]. - London School of Oriental and African Studies - Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Law..
Introduction: Variations on State Identity and Community Rights by Chibli Mallat.

Islamic Family Law and the Transition to Palestinian Statehood: Constraints and Opportunities for Legal Reform [English]. 2002
A draft version of a case study by Fadwa Labadi, Penny Johnson, Rema Hammami and Lynn Welchman provided by the Emory University- Islamic Family Law web site. The study investigates the legislative and lobbying initiatives related to Islamic law during five years of the Palestinian interim authority (1995-2000) in the West Bank and Gaza.

Islamic Reform and Women [Arabic]. 2007
This study discusses the position or status of women under Islamic reform.

Kuwait's Parliament Considers Women's Political Rights, Again [English]. 2004 - Middle East Report Online.
The article discusses the wavering of Kuwait’s parliament in drafting a law to allow women's full political rights- voting and running for national office- and chronicles Kuwaiti women's struggle and achievements for political rights over the past two decades.

Legislations and Laws Concerning the Work of Yemeni Women [Arabic]. 2006
This specialized analytical study provides a detailed explanation of legislation and laws concerning the work of Yemeni women.

Limitation of Personal Freedom [Arabic]. 2005

Multiculturalism, Universalism and the Claims of Democracy [English]. 2001 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
This paper explores the tensions between universalism and cultural relativism, and the role of democracy in resolving these tensions. It argues that cultural relativism is not a useful ally for feminism. The paper then argues for a "good enough democracy", and concludes with a number of guiding principles that can help identify which practices are most indefensible or most at odds with sexual equality concerns.

Nationality Campaign - Bahraini Women Right to Nationality [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
General summary on the nationality campaign purpose and activities.

Nationality Campaign - Syria 2003 - 2006 [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
Syrian Women's Association participated in the regional campaign for women's right to pass on their nationality to their children. The Association conducted several activities that aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against Syrian women in all fields, especially in existing laws.

Nationality of a Woman's Children: Between the Rationale of Affiliation to the Islamic Nation and the Rationale of Belonging to the International Community [English][Arabic]. 2003 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR)..
By Farida Bennani and Zineb Miadi.

Participation of Sudanese Women in Political life [Arabic]. 2002 - Arab Regional Resource Center on Violence Against Women..
A working paper presented by Dr. Amenah Asadek Badri at the regional workshop on "Gender and democratic transformation in the Arab World", March 11-13, 2002. Regional Center for Human Security, Amman, Jordan.

Picturing a Life Free of Violence: Media and Communication Strategies to End Violence against Women [English]. 2001 - United Nations Development Fund for Women.
This publication showcases a wealth and variety of media and communications strategies and materials used around the world to end violence against women. It highlights materials and campaigns, providing descriptions of innovative communication methods specific to domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, harmful traditional practices, trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, and HIV/AIDS.

Politics of Integrating Gender to State Development Processes [English]. 1995 - United Nations - Research Institute for Social Development..
The Politics of Integrating Gender To State Development Processes: Trends, Opportunities and Constraints in Bangladesh, Chile, Jamaica, Mali, Morocco and Uganda, by Anne Marie Goetz. Occasional Paper No. 2, UN Fourth World Conference On Women, May 1995. This paper provides an assessment of efforts in six countries to improve public accountability to women in the development process

Presentation about women and their family rights to nationality [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
Presentation about woman and her family, rights to nationality. Arab woman social and legal status.

Problem of the Women Taking Charge of Leading Positions (Iraq case study) [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance.
By Dr. Ina'am A. Al-Shehabi and Dr. Mowaffaq H. Mohammad, Arab Organization for Administrative Development – First Meeting. "Marketing in the Arab Region: Reality and Prospects for Development". Sharjah, UAE, 15-16 October, 2002.

Quality of Women's Banking Service in Saudi Arabia [Arabic]. 2002 - United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance.
By Dr. Wafa Nasser Al-Mbaireek, Arab Organization for Administrative Development – First Meeting. "Marketing in the Arab Region: Reality and Prospects for Development". Sharjah, UAE, 15-16 October, 2002.

Rights of Muslim Women in Morocco [English][French].
An overview of the laws governing women's rights in Morocco by Fadéla Sebti. Source: guide provides access to the law governing women's human rights in Morocco.

Rights of Omani Women [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development.
A working paper that investigates the condition of Omani women married to non-Omani in light of the current Omani nationality law, and their suffering as a result of that law. The paper also reviews efforts with regard to amending the law in question.

Rise of the Arab Women Towards Expansion of Freedom Values [Arabic]. 2005

Role of Women in Saudi Arabian Society [English]. - Saudi Arabia - Ministry of Information..
Review of the Saudi Arabian women status and achievements

State of Public Administration in Yemen and the challenge of advancement and change [Arabic]. 2002
Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Assshami – Arab Organization for Administrative Development – First meeting on Marketing in the Arab world and "reality and prospects of advancement". Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, October 15-16, 2002.

Strengthening the Role of Women Parliamentarians in the Arab Region: Challenges and Options [English]. 1999 - United Nations Development Programme..
Paper presented by Azza M. Karam. March, 1999 at the Meeting on Women and Political Participation: 21st Century Challenges, held in New Delhi, India, 24-26 March 1999.

Sudan - Human Development and Millennium Development Goal [English]. 2003 - Women War Peace.
The focus of the paper is basically to answer how far gender sensitive policies are operationalized in Sudan. The objective of the paper therefore, is to come up with policies frameworks to enhance women’s empowerment and gender quality at the national level.

Summary paper on the right of a Saudi woman and family if married to a non Saudi man [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
This paper examines the social and legal nationality strains that Saudi women and family face if married to a no saudi man.

Summary paper presented by Louisa Issa "Syria" [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
The lawyer "Louisa Issa" in this paper discusses Syrian laws and its relation with women nationality.

Syrian Nationality Law and our efforts in demanding the right of nationality to children of Syrian women [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
A paper presented by lawyer Louisa Issa of the Syrian Women's Association on Syria's nationality law and the Association's efforts to gain the right of nationality for the children of Syrian women.

The Abuse of Islamic Interpretations to Weaken Women [Arabic]. 2005

The Gender Dimensions of Poverty in Egypt [English]. 2001 - Economic Research Forum.
This study presents a picture of the extent of poverty at all levels of analysis and derives poverty measures for male and female-headed households and for males and females in poor households. It also investigates the characteristics of males and females in poor households in terms of their education, employment, child labor, and other characteristics.

The Impact of Conflict on Women: the Case of Somalia [English]. 2004 - ID21.
The decade of conflict in Somalia has affected relations between women and men. Conflict has lowered what was already one of the world’s lowest literacy rates – for both men and women. Many women have fought for equal rights and peace in this situation of state collapse but war has made families more dependent on the domestic labor of girls, further diminishing their prospects of entering, let alone completing, primary education.

The Payoff from Women's Rights [English]. 2004 - Foreign Affairs.
The author argues that growth and living standards get a dramatic boost when women are given just more education, political clout, and economic opportunity and calls on the United States to be more assertive in promoting women's rights abroad.

The Politics of Integrating Gender to State Development Processes: Trends, Opportunities and Constraints in Bangladesh, Chile, Jamaica, Mali, Morocco and Uganda [English]. 1995 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
This paper provides an assessment of efforts in six countries to improve public accountability to women in the development process. It then goes on to provide an overview of some of the more prominent political, economic and social trends of the past two decades, against which efforts have been made to institutionalize gender in state development processes.

Towards Gender Equality in the Arab/Middle East Region: Islam, Culture, and Feminist Activism [English]. 2004 - United Nations Development Programme.
This is the background paper of the UNDP Human Development Report 2004. The paper examines the relations among gender, culture, and Islam, and draws attention to the tensions that exist between concepts of cultural heritage and concepts of cultural freedoms in the Arab region and elsewhere in the Middle East. The author argues that notwithstanding elements of a shared culture and shared religion, there is considerable variability in gender norms and laws in the Arab world/Middle East and there have been significant changes over time in the position of women, and describes debates and discussions within the region pertaining to women’s rights.

Tracking the Progress of Jordanian Women in the ICT space [English]. 2005 - Arab Women Connect.
This is a request for proposal research on the progress of Jordanian women in the information and communication technology space since 2001. The objective of the project is to empower women in the information technology section by building their capacities and professional skills and bridging the gender digital divide.

Turning the Tide: The Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Gender Dimensions of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic [English]. 2001 - United Nations Development Fund for Women.
This publication contributes to understanding how the world's foremost blueprint for women's human rights can be put to work to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic from a gender perspective. It discusses the inherent problems that exist and broadens the knowledge gap.

Urban Governance: Why Gender Matters? [English]. 1996 - United Nations Development Programme - Gender in Development Programme..
The author, Jo Beall, argues that urban governance must be gender-sensitive if it is to be equitable, sustainable and effective. A gender-sensitive approach to urban governance has two principal objectives; firstly, to increase women's participation in human settlements development and, secondly, to foster gender-awareness and competence among both women and men in the political arena and planning practice.

Violations of Human Rights in Arab World [Arabic]. 2005

Were government amendments of the nationality law fair towards children of Bahraini women married to foreigners? [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
A paper on amendments introduced into the Bahraini constitution and international conventions. The paper discusses a major drawback in these amendments, namely depriving children of Bahraini women married to foreigner from the right to obtain the Bahraini nationality.

Women and Participation In the Islamic State [Arabic]. 2003
This study discusses actual and indirect participation of women in political affairs under the Islamic state from the earliest era to the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad.

Women Are Citizens Too: the Laws of the State, the Lives of Women [English][Arabic][French]. 2003 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR)..
By Nadia Hijab. This paper published by UNDP, provides an analytical framework of gender and citizenship in the Arab world. It mainly highlights the nationality laws and social security laws and their repercussions on women, and their families in general.

Women Cultural Social Society [Arabic]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) and the Collective for Research Training on Development (CRTD).
Summary of the most important points discussed in the Nationality Regional Workshop.

Women in Contemporary Democratization [English]. 2000 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
This paper looks at the issue of democratization from a gender perspective. Women’s persistent exclusion from formal politics, in particular, raises a number of specific questions about how to reform democratic institutions, since these institutions are not automatically gender-equitable.

Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers [English][French]. 1998 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Written by parliamentarians and researchers, this IDEA publication examines the obstacles women face in getting into parliament, how to overcome such barriers and ways in which they can make a greater impact once they enter parliament. It examines such topics as quotas and electoral systems and includes case studies from Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Norway, Russia and South Africa.

Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers. A Revised Edition. [English]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
This new and updated edition of Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers Handbook, published by IDEA, covers the ground of women’s access to the legislature in three steps: It looks into the obstacles women confront when entering Parliament – be they political, socio-economic or ideological and psychological. It presents solutions to overcome these obstacles, such as changing electoral systems and introducing quotas, and it details strategies for women to influence politics once they are elected to parliament, an institution which is traditionally male dominated.

Women NGO' s and the Campaign to Reform Personal Status Law [English]. 1998 - University of Sussex - Institute of Development Studies - Civil Society and Governance Programme..
The Case of the "Women's Model Parliament is the case Four of the Civil Society and Governance Program. The 3-year research program- funded by the Ford Foundation based at the Institute of Development Studies (ISD), University of Sussex, UK- examined the interplay between civil society and governments in 22 different countries.

Women of the New Iraq [English]. 2005 - Center for Research on Globalization.
This article argues that women's rights in Iraq have not been destroyed by Islam, but by the destruction of state and society brought on by foreign military aggression. Most Iraqi women recognise and try to sensitively cope with the predicament of dealing with occupation and the rise of reactionary practices affecting their rights and way of life.

Women, Peace and Security . 2002 - United Nations’ Division for the Advancement of Women.
This study is an initiative undertaken in response to Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security adopted in October 2000. It shows that while many positive steps have been taken to implement the resolution, women still form a minority of those who participate in peace and security negotiations, and receive less attention than men in post-conflict agreements, disarmament and reconstruction.

Women’s Political Participation: Meeting on Women and Political Participation - 21st Century Challenges [English]. 1999 - United Nations Development Programme..
By Azza M. Karam.

Women’s Rights and the Meaning of Citizenship in Kuwait [English]. 2005 - Tharwa Project.
The article discusses the situation of Kuwaiti women's rights and the challenges they face with regards to advancing their political rights, involvement and participation. It tackles these issues from various perspectives- the government, the opposition, the feminists and the general Kuwaiti public.

Women’s Rights in Morocco [English]. 2001 - Wafin Moroccan Connections in America.
A bill known as the “National Action Plan for Integrating Women in Development” was introduced March 1999 in Morocco and it aimed at asserting some basic rights for women against discrimination and abuse. However, the opponents of the plan see these changes as a diversion from the Islamic moral values.

Women's Freedom in Arab World: Challenges and Prospects [Arabic]. 2005

Women's Livelihood and Entitlements in the Middle East: What Difference has the Neoliberal Policy Turn Made? [English]. 2005 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
This paper examines changes in patterns of women’s employment and social policies pertaining to women in the Middle East and North Africa, and compares between two periods: the oil-boom era of the 1960s-1980s, and the period of liberalization since the latter part of the 1980s and into the present decade.

Women's Movement and Political Discourse in Morocco [English]. 1998 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
This paper, based on research undertaken in Morocco as part of the Technical Co-operation and Women’s Lives project, focuses on the role of the women’s movement in shifting the boundaries of political discourse on women’s issues.

Women's Movement in Egypt, with Selected References to Turkey [English]. 2002 - United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
Women's movements in the Middle East vary in terms of specific historical trajectories as well as current ideas and practices. Yet, they are similar in that they share several historical and political factors, such as their links to nationalist movements, their links to processes of modernization and development, and tensions between secular and religious tendencies. Specificities and differences can be found in overarching general themes, as becomes obvious in the context of two case studies -Egypt and Turkey- explored in this paper.

Women's Rights and Democracy in the Arab World [English]. 2004 - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The US government's new focus on promoting Women's Rights in the Middle East is widely supported, but its popularity has generated confusion about the actual conditions of women in the Middle East and the problems they face; about the relationship between women's rights and democracy; and about what an outside intervener like the United States can accomplish.

Women's Rights in Islam [Arabic]. 2005