Despite the large body of research which documents the existence of serious gender inequalities in education, health, economic and political participation in the Arab world, there are few initiatives in the region today which define research-driven agendas for informed policy change. The aim of the Gender and Public Policy program is to support theoretically and methodologically rigorous research that conceptualizes, problematizes, and analyzes gender gaps in the Arab world while, at the same time, linking the research to agendas and instruments for informed policy action.

The Gender and Public Policy Program aims to contribute to the academic scholarship on gender and public policy in the Arab world while simultaneously incorporating gender perspectives on public policy into the education of future and current leaders taught and trained at the Dubai School of Government. In addition to collaborating with academic institutions, the Program forges partnerships with private sector organizations, government agencies, and policy makers to act as a platform for influencing public policies affecting the lives of women.