Thanks to the efforts of the Forum of Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAPPD), in close collaboration with the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), significant progress has been made in legislation and legal reforms addressing population and development issues in several Arab countries. These achievements are grounded in the policy dialogue and recommendations developed during the annual parliamentary meetings convened by APDA and FAPPD. FAPPD has acknowledged that these achievements were made possible with the support extended by Japan, for which it has expressed deep gratitude.

Egypt
A series of important laws have been enacted, including those concerning the National Council for Women, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Rights of the Elderly. Also, since 2023, television programmes focusing on population and development issues have been produced and broadcast, to raise public awareness about youth education and women’s issues

Lebanon
A law to protect children from early marriage was proposed, and in September 2023, the Human Rights Committee of the Lebanese Parliament approved legislation setting the legal age of marriage at 18 for both genders across the country, without exception. The law stipulates penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines for anyone involved in the marriage of a minor, including guardians, religious officials, and third parties.

Tunisia
In 2024, the law on violence against women was amended to include provisions for safe shelters for victims and stricter penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence. According to the Tunisian Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, the number of women benefiting from legal protection programmes and social services increased by 25% in 2024.

Morocco
A new law was enacted prohibiting child labor for individuals under the age of 15 and improving access to education. According to the Moroccan Ministry of Education, the primary school enrollment rate rose to 96% in 2024, up from 91% in 2020.