The AWO is an intergovernmental organization established under the umbrella of the League of Arab States and headquartered in Egypt. It emerged from the Cairo Declaration issued by the First Arab Women Summit which convened in Cairo ,November 2000 and was co-organized by the National Council for Women in Egypt, Hariri Foundation in Lebanon and the League of Arab States. AWO’s agreement came into effect in March 2003.

Vision

The AWO aims at:

Empowering Arab women and building their capacities to promote progress of Arab societies.
Raising awareness of the necessity of engaging women as equal partners in societal development.
Coordinating Arab efforts in order to foster women empowerment and elevate awareness of their vital role in society.

Objectives

The AWO has several objectives :

Achieving solidarity of Arab women as a cornerstone for Arab solidarity.
Coordinating common Arab stands regarding Arab and international affairs and when dealing with Arab women issues in regional and international organizations.
Raising awareness regarding economic, social, cultural and legal issues pertaining to Arab women.
Fostering cooperation and exchange of experience between member Arab states to enhance the status of women.
According women issues priority in developmental policies and plans.
Empowering women and building their capacities as human beings and citizens to play an effective role in societal institutions, in the labor market, and in decision making circles.
Enhancing essential health and education services for women.

Policy

The AWO policies are based on the Strategy for the Enhancement of Arab Women, as well as, on the recommendations of the forums organized under the framework of the first and second Arab Women Summits .

The AWO sets its priority to promote the empowerment of women in the following areas :

Education: especially eradication of female illiteracy.
Health and Environment: especially strengthening healthcare and promoting women awareness of environmental hazards.
Media: especially changing the negative image of Arab women.
Social Development: especially promoting gender awareness in strategic and action planning.
Economy: especially poverty alleviation for women.
Politics: especially enhancing women political participation.
Legal Sphere: especially amending laws discriminating against women or preventing them from undertaking an active role in society.