Arab countries face pressing social justice challenges, including persistent poverty and inequality, a lack of basic goods and services, high unemployment, discrimination against women, unequal treatment of persons with disabilities, forced displacement and occupation.

Demands by citizens during the Arab uprisings of 2011 for a share in the fruits of development and to have their voices heard by political elites illustrated the need for deep institutional, political and socioeconomic reform.

ESCWA strives to help its member countries to tackle obstacles to social justice and to adopt relevant policies. It provides cutting edge research, policy recommendations and capacity-building material and activities, and facilitates dialogue and consensus-building.