Well before the Arab Spring, agents of change in the Arab world were slowly, but successfully removing cultural constraints on gender equality through education, entrepreneurship and political empowerment, thereby linking economic strategy with broader plans for societal progress. As a result, gains made by and for Arab women in the last 15 years had significantly narrowed the gender gap in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with particular improvements in literacy, women’s entrepreneurship, and political empowerment. But what were the impacts of the Arab Spring on gender equality and political representation in the MENA region? What can be done in order to maintain momentum for change, and achieve real, lasting empowerment for Arab women and youth?