This brief deals with the political developments and status of women in the countries of the Arab world in transition and seeks to highlight certain trends that are threatening fundamental aspects of democracy and equality in the region, notably the influence of women in decision-making processes. Thanks to the testimonies of female militants defending women' s rights, lawyers, university students, journalists and political officers, the document provides recommendations to policy-makers and media on the strategies to be implemented to ensure the participation of women in the constitution of fair and equitable societies.