On 17 September 2014, Arab ministers and senior regional and foreign officials took part today in the opening of the 28th ministerial session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), a key regional event hosted by the Tunisian government, and held under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Mr. Moncef Al Marzouki. In the opening session, Arab and foreign diplomats and senior officials listened to statements that echoed Arab concerns and aspirations towards a better tomorrow guided by social justice.

This paper analyses the different facets of women’s participation before and during the popular movements that swept the Arab countries since the end of 2010. It also details the mechanisms used by women in the mobilization process and the challenges they faced.





ESCWA marked this year's International Women's Day in the presence of a host of diplomats accredited to Lebanon, music and movie stars, representatives of civil society and the media, in addition to ESCWA staff . The event, organized in cooperation with the Lebanese American University (LAU), featured film screening and music and play performances highlighting discrimination against women and gender inequalities.