The ARC is a training and research centre concerned with women's health and development in Egypt and its neighboring countries. Its activities embrace training of physicians and health personnel, conducting basic and clinical research and maintaining an information centre in all aspects of women's health and development. Our mission is to help improve women's health in Egypt, the Arab World, the Middle East and Africa, health being a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, and is firmly linked to women's development. The ultimate aim is to see women in Egypt and neighboring countries enjoy: •A healthy infancy with no gender gap in morbidity or mortality. •A healthy adolescent life free from violence or genital mutilation. •A healthy reproductive life with a safe outcome to mothers and their babies. •A healthy sexual life free from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. •A healthy and active post-reproductive life. •Fertility by choice and not by chance. •A productive life free from gender discrimination.