Evidence points towards the increased occurrence of violence against women during times of conflict (UN Women, 2011: 49, 88). Similarly, in the MENA region, while there are no reliable statistics on violence, the interviews, meetings and focus groups carried out throughout this project by the OECD and the Centre for Arab Women Training and Research with governments, civil society and other stakeholders suggest that, despite the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organisations, violence against women (physical, sexual and psychological) still occurs in both the public and private spheres. While the CEDAW does not explicitly refer to violence against women, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women recommended in 1989 in its general Recommendation No.