This report reviews the status of women and gender equality in the Arab region and the implementation of the Beijing declaration and platform of action, in the past 20 years. It highlights the accomplishments made, such as the changes in the Personal Status Code in some countries or some measures taken to protect women and girls from gender based violence. At the same time, it stresses the obstacles and difficulties that women still face in the region, especially in the current political context where the Arab world is at a major crossroads, after the recent uprisings, political instability and armed conflict.