The Committee on Women of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established pursuant to resolution 240 (XXII) of 17 April 2003, which was endorsed by Economic and Social Council resolution 2003/9 of 18 July 2004. It was mandated to follow up on global and regional conferences addressing women’s advancement and facilitate the participation of member States in related global discussions. It was also tasked with the coordination of regional efforts towards the implementation of its resolutions and recommendations. The Committee on Women holds its sessions biennially. The inaugural session was held in Beirut on 4 and 5 December 2003, and the seventh session was held on 20 and 21 January 2016 in Muscat, Oman.

During its seventh session, the Committee reviewed activities undertaken within the framework of subprogramme 6 on the advancement of women of the ESCWA programme of work for the biennium 2014–2015. It also examined the proposed programme of work for the biennium 2016–2017. Thematic discussions included the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 20 years after its adoption, particularly within the framework of the United Nations post-2015 development agenda, and the challenges faced by women and girls in the Arab region, especially in times of war and armed conflict.