The National Council for Women (NCW) is organizing, jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Women Development Fund (UNIFEM) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) a 2-day Conference at the Cairo Marriott, with the aim of "Enhancing Women's Participation through Special Measures in the Arab Region". The aim of the Conference is to provide a forum to critically examine the use of quotas or other special measures to increase the political representation of women and their participation democratization, by providing experiences and best practices in quota systems from the region and globally. Over 40 Participants from the region and from other countries will take part in working group sessions. Opening and introductory statements will be made by Mr. Antonio Vigilante, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Karen Fogg, Secretary-General (IDEA) and Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, UNIFEM Director, Regional Programme for the Arab States. Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General, NCW, will deliver the keynote speech.