This volume aims at remedying the relative dearth of studies addressing issues of women and development in Arab countries. One major concern of its authors is to improve the statistical information available by including the often omitted aspect of disaggregation by gender - an essential task if women's actual and potential contribution to development is to be assesed. This, in turn, requires improved statistical collection and empirical research on women's economic participation. These studies are also concerned to understand the structural features which may explain Arab women's varying labour-force participation rates and to dispel widespread stereotypes vis-a-vis their economic position.