Gender equality and non-discrimination in the Arab States

Despite progress, the Arab region lags behind in addressing gender inequalities due to economic and political instabilities and entrenched patriarchal norms. The Arab States (non-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)) has the lowest female participation rate in the world at 11.7 per cent (while it is 66.2% for men) in 2024 (1). When combined with data from the GCC, the rate increases to 25.5 per cent, however it is the second lowest after the South Asia region (29.7%), and above the North Africa region (20.1 %) (1). The region sees huge gender gaps in income with Arab women earning just 12.5 per cent of the income earned by Arab men, which is the lowest ratio in the world. Women are also under-represented in leadership positions. While data availability is limited, persons with disabilities are more likely to be inactive and are more likely to be earning less than those without disability. Working with its constituents, UN agencies and development partners, the ILO in Arab region is implementing a transformative agenda on gender equality, equality of treatment and opportunity for all including for people with disabilities.

(1) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024, ILO, 2024

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Facts and figures

33 and 61 percentage points gender gaps

for the youth and adult populations, respectively, for labour force participation in the Arab States. The global gender gap is less than half of that of the Arab States for both age groups (1).

23.7 per cent of adult women

participated in labour activities in 2023, while the rate for adult men was 84.2 per cent. For the youth population, the rate for women was 9.8 per cent, while the rate for men was 42.6 per cent (1).

Nearly 9 per cent higher unemployment rate

among adult women than men was recorded in 2023. This is much larger than the average global gap, of approximately 0.4 percentage points (1).

Only 11 per cent of women

hold managerial positions as compared to the world average of 27.1 percent (2).

"Balance between work and family"

was cited most as the biggest challenge facing women who work at paid jobs, followed by "unfair treatment" in Arab states (3).

Almost 5 times more time on unpaid care work

was spent by women than men (5 hours 29 minutes/day for women and 1 hour and 10 minutes /day for men) (4).

Sources

(1) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024, ILO, 2024

(2) ILO World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2019

(3) Towards a better future for women and work: Voices of women and men

(4) A quantum leap for gender equality: For a better future of work for all

With ILO Support

Iraq National Strategy to Prevent and Reduce Inequalities in the World of Work for the Years 2024-2028 was developed.
A collective bargaining agreement for private sector teachers incorporated non-discrimination measures.

Parliamentary Committees have approved gender-responsive labour code amendments on pay equity, childcare, paternity leave, and flexible working hours.

Around 100 new childcare centres established and trained 27 carers on early childhood development.

Jordan became a member of the Equal Pay International Coalition.

Employment of women and persons with disabilities is promoted in the construction sector.
Women's entrepreneurs are supported to improve their business.

Female members of business associations are supported to strengthen their skills for leadership.
Acquired ministerial approval for the first workers’ complaint and dispute settlement mechanism.

Established the National Committee for Women’s Employment (NCWE) to promote gender equality in the workplace.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development adopted the policy on equality which includes disability.
Developed a draft New Labour Code which incorporates gender and non-discrimination was circulated for Parliament ratification by Parliament.

Women entrepreneurs were supported to improve their business through ILO’s Improve Your Business (IYB) programme.