Towards gender-responsive laws and policies in the MENA region

Ensuring conformity with international standards in the area of gender equality and eliminating gender-based discriminations are the first steps necessary for achieving gender equality. This chapter presents the data on the conformity of MENA countries with international gender equality standards, and highlights the remaining CEDAW reservations and gaps with international standards. It reviews the integration of gender equality provisions in the constitutions across the MENA region and identifies a set of good practice examples in this area. Finally, the chapter highlights a concept of gender mainstreaming as the mechanism necessary to ensure a gender-sensitive approach to policy making. It concludes by offering concrete recommendations to policy makers in the region to enhance compliance with international standards in gender equality and to reduce gender-based discrimination in domestic legislation.