2011年-世界发展银行全球_Capabilities_Opportunities_and_Participation___Gender_Equality_and_Development_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa_Region_3页_854kb

MENA Knowledge and Learning - Capabilities, Opportunities and Participation: GENDER EQUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGION

Core Content

This document, part of the MENA Knowledge and Learning series, provides an analysis of gender equality and development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It highlights the region's progress in human development and the persistent challenges in achieving gender parity in economic participation and civic engagement.

Main Points

1. Regional Transformation and Gender Inclusion

• Many MENA countries are experiencing significant political and social transformation, with youth at the forefront of calls for change.
• There is a growing demand for more inclusive development that ensures social and economic freedom, government accountability, and greater voice for citizens.
• The region has made notable strides in human development, particularly in education and healthcare, due to its wealth and natural resource rents.

2. Gender Parity in Education and Health

• The region is close to achieving gender parity in primary and secondary enrollment rates, surpassing many low and middle-income countries.
• Maternal mortality is half the global average, and fertility rates have declined rapidly in the past decade.
• Despite these achievements, gender gaps persist in areas like school completion and educational specialization.

3. Female Labor Force Participation

• Female labor force participation in the MENA region is around 25%, which is only half the developing world average.
• Participation rates are even lower in fragile or conflict-affected countries such as Yemen, Iraq, and the West Bank and Gaza.
• The rate of increase in female participation has been minimal over the past 30 years, suggesting a long-term challenge.

4. Economic Structure and Work Opportunities

• The economic structure of MENA countries, characterized by large public sectors and limited private sector growth, has limited job creation.
• In wealthier countries, formal employment opportunities are largely in the public sector, while in poorer countries, more women work in the informal sector.
• Informal sector work often lacks security and may underutilize the skills of educated women.

5. Constraints to Women's Inclusion

• Legal, social, cultural, and economic constraints discourage women from participating in the public sphere.
• These include restrictive labor laws, social norms that limit women's roles, and a lack of support for women entrepreneurs.
• Economic benefits for families also encourage women to stay at home, reducing their participation in the workforce.

6. Role of Social and Cultural Norms

• Deep-rooted social and cultural norms play a critical role in limiting women's participation.
• Migrants from the MENA region who move to countries like the US or France tend to have higher labor participation rates, indicating that norms can be altered in new environments.
• This suggests that changing norms is key to improving women's economic and political inclusion.

7. The Social Contract and Its Impact

• The traditional social contract in MENA involves generous public benefits and employment in exchange for citizen support.
• This has distorted labor markets and influenced women's choices regarding work and education.
• Women's low participation is due to both a lack of job opportunities and societal pressures to stay at home.

8. Policy Recommendations

• Legal and Civic Reforms: Extend women's legal and civic rights to support their participation in the workforce and public life.
• Job Creation and Employability: Promote private sector growth, address employment barriers, and enhance women's skills to improve their employability.
• Data and Evaluation: Improve data collection on labor markets and households, and rigorously evaluate small-scale programs aimed at supporting women.

Key Information

• Document Title: Capabilities, Opportunities and Participation: GENDER EQUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGION
• Authors: Tara Vishwanath, Nga Nguyen, Quy-Toan Do, Thomas Walker, Gabriela Inchauste Comboni, and Nandini Krishnan
• Date: September 2011
• Series: Quick Notes Series
• Purpose: Complements the 2012 World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development, offering insights for policy reforms in the region.

Conclusion

The document emphasizes that the current wave of change in the MENA region offers a unique opportunity to promote gender equality. By rethinking the social contract and implementing inclusive policies, MENA countries can harness the potential of their human resources and create more equitable and productive societies.