In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), only 18% of women are formally employed, according to the World Bank. This rate is far below the global average of 49%, reflecting significant gender disparities in the region’s workforce participation.
Women in MENA face a variety of barriers to employment. Legal restrictions, cultural pressures, and the effects of violent conflicts in certain countries all contribute to limiting women’s ability to join the formal workforce.
Traditional gender roles play a central role in these challenges. These roles place the majority of unpaid care work on women, such as child care, elder care, and household duties, leaving them with little time or opportunity for paid work.
Susanne Mikhail Eldhagen, a director at UN Women, points out that addressing the care economy could help improve women’s employment rates in the region. By investing in sectors that support care work, women can gain access to jobs that are currently undervalued but essential to the economy.
The care economy includes industries such as child care, elder care, and domestic work. Creating more formal opportunities in these areas could allow women to contribute to the economy while balancing their caregiving responsibilities.
In many MENA countries, societal expectations force women to bear the primary responsibility for caregiving at home. This creates a barrier to employment, as it is difficult for women to manage both family duties and a career without support or infrastructure.
Eldhagen emphasizes the need for policies that promote work-life balance and recognize the value of unpaid labor. By providing paid employment opportunities in care sectors, governments can help women transition into the formal workforce.
Legal reforms can also reduce the obstacles women face. Policies that remove restrictions on women’s employment and promote equal pay for equal work could help to address the gender disparity in the workforce.
Investing in the care economy can transform the labor market in MENA by creating jobs that are directly aligned with women’s current responsibilities. This would help women to enter the workforce without the burden of choosing between family care and economic independence.
The care economy is growing globally, with increasing demand for services in child care, elderly care, and health-related industries. The expansion of this sector could create new economic opportunities in MENA, boosting women’s employment and economic contributions.
Governments in MENA are beginning to recognize the importance of addressing these issues. Efforts to implement policies supporting women’s employment in the care economy are underway in some countries, offering hope for improved gender equality in the workforce.
Increasing women’s participation in the workforce can also have broader economic benefits. Studies have shown that economies grow faster and more sustainably when women are equally represented in the labor force.
Despite the challenges, there are examples of progress in the region. Some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are taking steps to improve female labor force participation through legal reforms and initiatives aimed at encouraging women’s employment in various sectors, including care.
To achieve lasting change, it will be important for MENA countries to implement long-term strategies that address the root causes of gender inequality in the workforce. This includes focusing on education, legal rights, and job creation in sectors that align with women’s needs and skills.
Investing in the care economy could significantly boost women’s employment in MENA. By supporting this sector, governments can create more job opportunities, empower women, and strengthen their economies.
