The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action calls on Governments, the international community and civil society, including NGOs and the private sector, to take strategic action in the following 12 critical areas of concern: poverty, education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, the economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, human rights, media, the environment, and the girl child.

This study examines violence against women and girls in 18 Arab countries covered by both mandates of ESCWA and UN-Women, with particular focus on violence in the domestic sphere. The objective of the study is to generate evidence-based policy recommendations for Arab member countries in order to assist them in scaling up their commitment to combating violence against female population groups, especially in the domestic sphere, and to promote gender equality and enhance women’s empowerment in Arab societies.