Book excerpt: Domestic violence is recognized as the most pervasive form of violence against women and almost all countries in the world experience this scourge. Yet, it was only in 1993 that the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the first international human rights instrument to deal specifically with the issue. Until recently, data from low and middle income countries was limited. In particular, few representative studies had been conducted in Africa and the Middle East. This book explores risk factors and health outcomes associated with wife-beating as reported by Egyptian women throughout the country. The findings should shed light on the magnitude and issues related to wife-beating in an understudied region. They should be especially useful to policy makers, the community of governmental and non-governmental organizations, the civil society at large as well as researchers working to improve women's health and status. The book should also be valuable to specialists in health promotion and behavior change communication, to donor agencies, and to anyone interested in women's issues.