This research project aims to explore the intersections of law,citizenship,gender-based discrimination and social reform movements as played out in the case of Egypt’s 24 nationality law reform. It is framed within an understanding of citizenship as the active participation of the individual in the public life of the community,and advances the notion that for women to be considered as citizens on an equal footing with men requires that they be afforded the opportunity,space and resources to become active participants. It further examines the role of law in social reform movements,questioning whether the “success” of reform movements is to be found in the writing of new law itself,in improved implementation and enforcement of law,in increased social mobilization,or in a combination thereof. Finally,through interviews with Egyptian pro-reform advocates,it analyzes the 24 nationality law reform with a view to understanding the mixed success of legal reform movements attempting to combat deep-seated patterns of social discrimination,and explores the reformers’ choice of tactics and the impact of these choices on the ultimate achievement of their broader goal of gender equalit.