For example, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia withdrew' their reservation to Article 9 paragraph (2) to allow' w'omen to transmit their nationality to their children. Other international conventions deal with the question of nationality but very few MENA countries have ratified them. It provides the protection of the state and is the legal basis for the exercise of citizenship. In many countries, only citizens enjoy the full exercise of political, economic, social and cultural rights; aliens are deprived of the right to reside in the state in which they live, are denied the right to vote and have limited access to health, education, housing or employment.