Development of Multilateral Interstate Cooperation on Gender Issues in the Middle East (End of the Xx – Beginning of the Xxi Century)

Abstract

The article attempts to analyze the development of forms and manifestations of multilateral intergovernmental cooperation on gender issues in the Middle East at the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century. The Middle East region, in religious and civilizational dimensions, is quite specific in terms of the comprehensive implementation of the ideas of feminism and overcoming gender gaps. However, as a result of the study, the effectiveness of the region’s involvement in both global initiatives on gender issues and the formation of its own mechanisms and tools for the protection of women was revealed, which is implemented in the following practical acts. Firstly, the involvement of the Middle East region as an object of activity of the United Nations Structure for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (“UN-Women”) aimed at protecting women in conflicts and granting equal rights to women alongside men. Secondly, the formation of a regulatory framework and programs on gender issues in the activities of the regional organization  the League of Arab States (LAD). It was found that the existing mechanism of intergovernmental cooperation in the LAD regarding the implementation of gender equality and the role of women in Arab society is not sufficiently effective, given the advisory nature of the organization’s decisions, and it is not sufficiently implemented in practice by all Middle Eastern states. It should be stressed on the positive and fruitful activity of the Arab Women Organization, which has a number of programs for the protection of Arab women and their rights. Thirdly, the dialogue between the Middle East and North Africa in the format of the MENA region is quite developed – the holding of African-Arab summits between the African Union and the League of Arab States, launched in 1977, which are aimed at jointly solving gender issues. The authors concluded that the Middle East region still has to overcome a number of barriers and domestic policy changes to protect women’s rights, but the initiation and development of dialogue on a multilateral basis is a positive step in achieving global trends in ensuring gender equality and feminism in general.