UN Women convenes regional stakeholders in Amman to accelerate progress on ending violence against women and girls

[Press release]

Amman, Jordan - UN Women is convening government officials, regional institutions, UN agencies, service providers, and legal and policy experts from across the Arab States to exchange promising practices and advocate for their adaptation and scale-up at country level, in support of Beijing+30 commitments to end violence against women and girls.

This collective goal anchors a two-day regional conference organized by UN Women’s Regional Office for the Arab States, in partnership with the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under the Ajyal Égalité Programme funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Titled “From Pledge to Action to fulfill Beijing +30 Review Commitments in the Arab States: Sharing Knowledge on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls,” the conference brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to strengthen institutional learning, promote scalable solutions, and translate political commitments into tangible legal, policy, and service delivery reforms that enhance prevention, protection, and accountability for all women and girls.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the region’s most persistent and complex human rights challenges. Nearly one in three ever-married or engaged women in the Arab States (31 per cent) has experienced physical or sexual violence - slightly higher than the global average. Conflict, displacement, economic pressures, and shrinking civic space continue to intensify risks. At the same time, technology-facilitated violence - one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse - is increasing rapidly, with 49 per cent of women internet users in the region reporting that they do not feel safe from online sexual harassment.

Despite important progress and increased government commitments, including the Arab Declaration on Combating All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (2022), the 2024 Muscat Declaration, and reforms in national legislation, Beijing+30 reviews show that critical gaps persist in legal frameworks, essential services, data systems, prevention efforts, and sustainable financing.

“Across the Arab states, we see strong political commitments to eliminate violence against women and girls. What is urgently needed now is to translate these commitments into bold, well-resourced reforms that deliver real protection, justice, and dignity for survivors. This conference is a powerful reminder that when countries learn from one another and invest in solutions that work, we accelerate progress across the entire region,” said Dr. Moez Doraid, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States.

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, governments reaffirmed their commitments through a global Political Declaration calling for strengthened and adequately resourced action to eliminate violence against women and girls. The Amman conference situates the Arab States within this renewed global momentum.

Over two days, policymakers and technical experts from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, Yemen, alongside representatives from the League of Arab States, the African Union, and the Follow-Up Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention (MESECVI), will engage in in-depth thematic and cross-regional exchanges.  

Discussions will focus on strengthening national responses through improved laws and policies, enhance survivor-centered services, and better institutional coordination. Participants will also address technology-facilitated violence, including online harassment and violence against women in politics, explore ways to strengthen data and evidence for policymaking, and examine how humanitarian, development, and peace actors can work together more effectively in crisis settings. Financing solutions, such as budgeting that considers the needs of women and girls, and longer-term institutional support, will also be highlighted as key enablers of sustainable progress. The conference showcases promising models supported by UN Women and partners including UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP, drawing on national examples from across the Arab States and comparative lessons from Africa and the Americas.