This double issue of the journal Al-Raida focuses on gender quotas. It analyses the controversy over gender quotas and their effectiveness through research articles from various parts of the Arab world in order to compare the different experiences and opinions on this issue at a regional level. The articles deal with different aspects such as the relation between quotas and democratization in the Arab countries or the obstacles to women accessing public office. The dossier also presents case studies on the implementation of quotas in Tunisia and Lebanon.