Outcome RAS_D_7.1

Arab States accelerate the implementation of global and regional gender norms and standards with quality comparable data particularly on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Cairo Declaration for Arab Women

Across the Arab States, progress was made in strengthening the availability and use of quality, comparable gender data to support the implementation of global and regional gender equality commitments, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action , the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , and the Cairo Declaration for Arab Women . At the regional level, the League of Arab States (LAS) and its 22 Member States enhanced their collective capacity to advocate for and plan the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments in regional and international fora. This was reflected in the adoption of the CSW69 Arab Declaration , which articulates shared regional priorities on gender equality and provides a common reference point for engagement and reporting at global level. At the national level, concrete steps were taken to institutionalize gender-responsive data systems. In 2025, Tunisia , with technical and financial support from the UN Women Regional Office for Arab States , developed a comprehensive Action Plan to address gender data gaps related to the SDGs . The Action Plan provides a coordinated framework for the National Statistics Office and development partners, clarifying roles and responsibilities for improving gender-sensitive data production, reporting, monitoring, and advocacy. By embedding gender considerations into official statistical processes, Tunisia strengthened its ability to track progress on the 2030 Agenda in an inclusive and evidence-based manner. Regional capacity to generate and use gender statistics was further reinforced through targeted training initiatives. In May 2025, LAS , in partnership with ESCWA and with support from UN Women, convened 25 statisticians from eleven National Statistics Offices at LAS headquarters in Cairo. The training focused on computing gender-specific SDG indicators using global metadata standards, directly addressing persistent gaps in gender data availability, which stood at 39.5 per cent at the regional level in 2024 . Participants were equipped with practical tools and reference materials, including the report Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: A Gender Snapshot of the Arab States 2024 , to support evidence-based policymaking and reporting. Additional efforts strengthened national capacity to analyze census data through a gender lens. In May 2025, 56 statisticians from across the Arab region enhanced their skills in producing gender-thematic reports based on population and housing census data through a workshop convened by UNFPA , in partnership with ESCWA and the Gulf Cooperation Council , and supported by UN Women. These efforts contribute to improving both the quality and comparability of gender-specific indicators across countries. Beyond capacity-building, structural reforms were initiated to sustain progress. With technical support from UN Women, Oman began amending its statistical law to integrate gender sensitivity , responding to gaps identified through the Beijing+30 review process . This reform represents a critical step toward institutionalizing gender-responsive data systems and strengthening the enabling environment for the regular production and use of gender statistics. Together, these regional, national, and institutional measures are accelerating Arab States’ ability to implement, monitor, and report on global and regional gender norms and standards using robust, comparable data , strengthening accountability and informing more effective gender-responsive policies and investments. Data Sources: 1. Tunisia: (Access the Action Plan here: https://arabstates.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2025/03/plan-daction-pour-la-production-des-statistiques-sensibles-au-genre-en-tunisie ). 2. ROAS: Link to the reports https://arabstates.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/sdg_gender_snapshot_of_the_arab_region_2024_english_version_report-2.pdf

Arab States accelerate the implementation of global and regional gender norms and standards with quality comparable data particularly on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Cairo Declaration for Arab Women

The Outcome was not achieved; however, some notable progress was made towards the Outcome. T he 15 member states of the League of Arab States (LAS) have increased their knowledge and capacities to implement gender responsive policies and programmes that work towards the achievement of SDG5 with a focus on women’s leadership across the six indicators. This is based on surveys completed by member states on their progress towards the implementation of the Cairo Declaration (CD) on Arab Women. The response rate to the survey was 100%. The scope of the CD is broad so in this first review (which was due in 2020 but delayed due to COVID-19 response and recovery), the focus was on 6 indicators: women’s political, economic and social status, ending all forms of violence against women and girls, women’s peace and security gender and the environment. Specifically on women’s political leadership and decision-making the update revealed variations in policy makers’ capacities and progress across the region and noted that in general [1] , the rate of participation of Arab women in the executive authority in the Arab countries surveyed is medium , especially at the level of both middle and grassroots administrations , while the participation rates of women in the same countries are low at the level of both the judicial and legislative branches . Some examples of varied policies made across the region are highlighted below: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan issued a new Election Law for the House of Representatives No. 4 (2022), which increased the number of seats allocated to women from 15 to a minimum of 18 seats (in addition to the seats). Furthermore, Jordan ratified Political Parties Law No. (7) of 2022, which states that the percentage of women should not be less than 20% of the number of founders. The percentage of women ' s participation in political parties in the Arab countries surveyed ranged from 5 % to 63 . 3 %. The Republic of Lebanon led the Arab region by recording the highest Arab percentage ( 53 . 67 %) for women' s participation in the judiciary. In 2022, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued the new Personal Status Law which grants women the legal freedom to decide about who they will marry. Furthermore, the law regulates that children's custody is for the mother. The mixed results continue to reflect the different political models in place across the region which determine the pace, scope and depth of introducing measure to increase women’s political leadership and decision-making. There is an increasing demand to share knowledge on political policies, regulations and programmes from within and beyond the region. For example, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan requested examples on gender units and media policies on profiling women in politics. Through a regional convening on women in politics and violence against women in politics, the country was able to use the platform to share knowledge and best practices which resulted in the establishment of the first gender unit in the election management body in Jordan. The results are evidenced by the electoral laws, decrees, regional dialogues, Cairo Declaration attached here. ROAS contributed to these changes by providing data to country offices and beyond on VAWP, retro analysis of WPP programming in the region, country scans on the level of implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Gender Justice before the Law update. ROAS also provided technical expertise and financial resources to develop WPP pro docs in Jordan and Lebanon, VAWP initiative in Libya, the Cairo Declaration review, COP27 proceedings, and CSO two regional meetings (women with disability and COP27). ROAS worked on these changes in partnership with UN Women country offices, UN regional agencies UNDP, UNFPA and ESCWA; UNCT Bahrain DI Task Force; the LAS; regional civil society groups including the Arab States Civil Society Organizations and Feminists Network (WCLAC), Arab EMB and AWEN, AFOWD and AOPD to deliver on the regional dialogues, training, advocacy and data analysis. [1] The Cairo Declaration on Arab Women Review 2022

Arab States accelerate the implementation of global and regional gender norms and standards with quality comparable data particularly on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Cairo Declaration for Arab Women

This outcome is on track Through the Gender Justice and Equality Before the Law Initiative, 15 Member States shared their legislative updates. These updates contributed to improving the situation of Arab women, resulting in 20 positive changes in dashboard scores. Additionally, attendees at the consultations on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action after 30 years (B+30) gained more knowledge on data platforms to support the preparation of national reviews and mainstream gender in VNRs. During these consultations, CSOs, marginalized groups, youth networks, and others engaged in an interactive process of building a strong and inclusive foundation to inform national and regional reports. There were 9 consultations in total, 2 in 2023 and 7 in 2024 and 18 national reports submitted. ROAS contributed to these changes by providing data during the consultations regarding the Beijing Platform for Action and the Gender Justice before the Law update. The results are evidenced by the attached documents. link to event: here

Arab States accelerate the implementation of global and regional gender norms and standards with quality comparable data particularly on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Cairo Declaration for Arab Women

This outcome is on track and is partially achieved already. T he member states of the League of Arab States (LAS) have increased their knowledge and capacities to implement gender responsive policies and programmes that work towards the achievement of SDG5 by finalizing the first review of the Cairo Declaration by 21 member states and translating its attachments to English. Furthermore, t hrough the Gender Justice and Equality Before the Law I nitiative , 15 Member States shared their legislative updates; member states issued 39 legal texts to contribute to enhancing the situation of Arab women and made 16 positive changes in terms of dashboard scores. Lastly, attendees at the two consultations on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action after 30 years (B+30) gained more knowledge on data platforms to support preparation of national reviews and mainstream gender in VNRs. The consultation series , which is ongoing up to 2025, is inclusive (CSOs, marginalised groups, youth networks etc. ) and demonstrates an interactive process of building a strong and inclusive foundation to inform the national/regional reports. The TOC remains relevant. One lesson learned from the first consultation to the next is to provided practical exercises in the session that MS representatives can action on in relation to their country context which has been incorporated into successive consultations. Impact results cannot yet be commented on as the process has just begun and runs up to 2025. The results are evidenced by the documents attached here. ROAS contributed to these changes by providing data during the consultations regarding the Beijing Platform for Action and the Gender Justice before the Law update. ROAS also provided technical expertise to develop WPP pro docs in Jordan and Lebanon, for the Cairo Declaration review, design and translation, and for the regional meeting on women with disabilities.