This publication sheds light of the successes and challenges of national mechanisms for women's rights and the empowerment of women and girls throughout the past few decades. It proposes a set of nine principles - titled the "Amman Principles" - and an accreditation process that aims to enhance the impact and independence of national mechanisms that work towards improving women's rights and achieving gender equality in the MENA region and beyond. The Amman Principles ultimately aim to serve as an international frame of reference for national mechanisms across the globe.