Translated by Alessandra Fumagalli
The recent International Labour Organization (ILO)’s data show a brightening view on the economic perspectives on the Middle East: the rise in the female participation in the workforce could result in growing the GDP of the region of more than 10% in the next decade. The result is the mirror of a significant change of a region which is historically characterized by high levels of female unemployment and political and social restrictions.
Nowadays, the female participation in the work market in the Middle East is lower than other areas of the world. In 2023, the percentage of employed women in Saudi Arabia and Egypt was among the lowest worldwide, in particular Saudi Arabia had only 17% of the female workforce, while Egypt had 15%, according to OECD’s data. These figures are significantly lower than the global range, which is around 47%. However, it is important to highlight what the Middle East is, because some Gulf Countries, like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, the general percentage of workers are low also for men, because lots of citizens live thanks to the income from oil resources and the public welfare system, reducing the need to work. Therefore, the low percentage of female workers does not indicate a lack of general work, but a different economic model.
ILO, in order to make an esteem of these dynamics, used an advanced econometric model and a technique that uses math operations and statistical analysis. According to the research, starting from 2024, a rise of 10% in the female participation in the work market is real. Women have innovative competences and perspectives, and they can stimulate innovation and improve efficiency in some sectors like retail trade and social services. Moreover, in the last few years, their involvement in technology and innovation has grown, even if these areas have a dishomogeneous development in the area. The inclusion of a major number of women could widen the work sector, favoring the growth of business and creation of new workplaces. McKinsey Global Institute estimates a rise in female participation till 28 trillion dollars of the global GDP by 2025. Different research, among which the Harvard Business Review, shows that a bigger gender diversity improves productivity and innovation, while the World Bank states that countries with a bigger gender equality tend to be more cohesive and stable, reducing risk of conflicts and social instability.
However, in order to realize those benefits, it is fundamental to overcome significant challenges. Cultural norms and restrictive laws still limit the women to access new economic opportunities. Research suggests that, in order to overcome these challenges, it is necessary to adopt inclusive policies and to promote targeted training programs. Legislative reforms, such as the abolition of professional restrictions and other policies like income equity are essential to create an equal workplace. In Afghanistan and Iran, where restrictions are particularly hard, the evolution towards a bigger economic participation is jeopardized by insurmountable obstacles. Here, women have to face not only freedom of speaking and economic independence limitations, but also a lack of fundamental human rights, which makes the situation even more difficult. On the contrary, Saudi Arabia is trying to implement new policies in order to improve women’s work conditions, making a great step forward, giving a heavier basis for the economic growth and innovation. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is trying to diversify its economy in order to reduce the dependence on oil, promoting not only female participation, but also the development of private sects and other sectors like technology, tourism, and entertaining.
If the improvement of women's conditions in the Middle East should become real, the global impact would be significant. At an international level, a bigger female participation should contribute to a more inclusive economic growth and diversification of key sectors, like technology and education. This change could promote an equal model and stimulate progress in other areas. About human rights, a bigger female participation could also improve gender equality and positively influence norms and international policies, being a catalyst for a global improvement towards gender equality and universal human rights
Mondo Internazionale APS - Riproduzione Riservata ® 2024