MENA – The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is losing approximately $575 billion annually due to restrictions limiting women’s economic participation, according to recent data released by UN Women, with joint funding from the European Union. The data highlights how expanding employment opportunities for women could help strengthen the region’s economic potential.
The data shows that the gap in the labour market remains wide, with women’s unemployment exceeding 20%, compared with approximately 5.4% among men, nearly four times higher.
At the same time, women have made significant progress in education, with the gender parity index in educational attainment ranging between 0.95 and 0.97, reflecting near-full parity. However, this progress has not translated into similar levels of economic participation and opportunities, where the parity ratio ranges between 0.42 and 0.45.
Against this backdrop, the “Promoting Women’s Employment” initiative highlights the importance of removing barriers to women’s participation in the labour market and expanding their economic opportunities, allowing the region to make greater use of its human potential.
The initiative is being implemented under the slogan “Investing in Women is Investing in Prosperity,” emphasising the role of women’s economic participation in supporting growth and sustainable development across the region.
