A Gender Snapshot of the Arab Region 2024: Quick Take

Written By Malath .

Progress and Promise

  • Education & Health: Marked advances—higher female school completion rates and a 45% decline in maternal mortality (from 246 to 139 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2000–2020) showcase real progress.The United Nations in Egypt

  • Parliamentary Representation: Women now hold 18% of legislative seats in the region—an important gain, though still trailing global averages.The United Nations in Egypt

  • STEM Participation: Around 23% of employed women are in STEM roles—indicating a slow but meaningful shift.The United Nations in Egypt

Persistent Gaps & Urgent Challenges

  • Employment Disparity: Just 1 in 5 women participates in the labor force, compared to the global average of 49%—projecting that at the current pace, it will take 115 years to close that gap.The United Nations in EgyptUNESCWA

  • Child Marriage: Alarming levels persist—29.4 million girls were married before age 18, highlighting a deep-rooted social challenge.The United Nations in Egypt

  • Care Burden: Arab women shoulder far more unpaid work—around 4.7 times more than men—undermining their economic participation and well-being.The United Nations in Egypt

Why It Matters for SDGs
Despite progress, none of SDG 5’s gender-related indicators (except mobile phone ownership) are on track.The United Nations in Egypt This snapshot underscores the critical need for accelerated, targeted action—from law reforms and policy shifts to increased investment in women’s empowerment.arabstates.unwomen.org

Malath .
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