Desertification, land degradation and drought remain a significant threat to the Arab region. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by these threats through decreased agricultural yields, increased water scarcity, health issues, and biodiversity loss. Moreover, women face significant disadvantages compared to men when it comes to land ownership. In response to this, the 2023 World Desertification and Drought Day has chosen the theme “Her Land. Her Rights.” to highlight the importance of women's land rights in achieving global objectives related to gender equality and to halting land degradation by 2030.

This document gives a general overview of the desertification and drought status in the Arab region and provides information on its impacts from a gender perspective. It also suggests ways in which women’s access to and control over land resources can improve livelihoods in rural communities while combating desertification. Academic institutions, public and private sectors, cooperatives as well as civil society have a key role in restoring land and boosting drought resilience.