The Euromed Gender Equality Programme (EGEP) concluded a series of national and regional situation analysis reports focusing on the status of women's civil and political rights in southern Mediterranean countries. In the same context, the ETF Women and Work (WOW) project conducted studies on women’s education, training and employment opportunities in Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia. The results of both complete the overview on the status of women and on the possible ways forward to strengthen the role of women in southern Mediterranean societies.

In the context of the Istanbul and Marrakesh Ministerial Conclusions, these reports provide an in-depth overview and analysis of issues such as legal reforms, women’s participation in decision-making and violence against women.

The findings of both, the EGEP and WOW studies and reports, shed light on priorities and strategies for future actions to promote gender equality in the southern Mediterranean countries and region. They provide a valuable up-to-date knowledge base and analysis covering the different pillars of rights (civil, political, social, economic and cultural) encompassed in the Istanbul and Marrakesh Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conclusions on strengthening the role of women in society.

In addition, the event "Advancements, challenges and priorities for women’s rights and gender equality in the Euromed region" will be organised jointly by the EGEP and WOW on 5 May 2011 in Brussels, in order to disseminate and discuss the findings of the analysis and studies conducted by both programmes. The aim of the joint dissemination event is to provide national, regional and international stakeholders, from governments and civil society, with updated information and data on priorities and strategies for future actions in support of gender equality in the southern Mediterranean region.