“A life without violence and discrimination is possible!” - Regional Campaign to Protect Arab Women from Domestic Violence

Egypt and Jordan have both signed the most important gender-relevant international conventions and human rights instruments but have made a number of reservations that are particularly relevant for women. Due to the unresolved question of Palestinian statehood, the law applicable in the West Bank and Gaza is complex and confusing with elements of at least five legal systems. All national constitutions as well as the Palestinian Basic Law grant equal rights to men and women. National laws contain, however, a number of articles that discriminate against women according to international notions of equality.

Qualitative studies as well as empirical data of police and state agencies and the project partners own records suggest that violence against women is extremely widespread in Arab society and is a phenomenon that occurs across all social strata, regions and religious groups. The real incidence of gender-based violence against women is probably multifold since Arab society knows numerous mechanisms of covering up on honour crimes, frequently with the complicity of tribal leaders. Other forms of physical and sexual violence are rampant in Arab society, particularly in traditional and rural areas and among poor and middle income strata.