an Eldis Resource
Bridging the gap: Improving capabilities and expanding opportunities for women in the Middle East and North Africa region
Authors:
; World Bank, Middle East and North Africa Region
Publisher:
World Bank Publications, 2010
What challenges to economic gender parity do women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) face? This World Bank brief discusses constraints to women’s opportunities, including limited labour market mobility, mismatched skill acquisition in schools with labour market demands, as well as legal or institutional factors influenced by discriminatory cultural norms. These contribute to the region’s low female labour force participation – one of the lowest in the world. Gender disparities in economic and civil participation do not correspond with improvements to women’s health and education. Reasons for these persistent gender gaps are explored, and possible remedies considered. The final section of this brief provides succinct information about the World Bank’s strategy for improving gender equality, recent analytical work and policy pilots in MENA.
