Despite the fact that much of the Middle East is comprised of middle income developing countries, the region as a whole ranks well below Latin America and South and East Asia in terms of gender equality in women’s economic participation (at least in what concerns women’s participation in the formal economy as no credible and comprehensive data exists regarding women’s participation in the informal economy as well as in home-based work).  In fact, in a region known for its wealth in oil and other natural resources, the average rate of illiteracy among women still hovers at about 50% whilst Arab states record the lowest rate for female economic participation estimated at 32.7% (compared to 64.2% for the aggregate of all least developed countries – source UNDP, 2003).  As such, and despite some gains made in the last decade (mainly in terms of health and education), women’s participation in economic life remains among the lowest in the world.  As such, and given the fact that women are often to be found in the informal economy and within low skilled jobs, they have been so far the most adversely affected by trade agreements and by gender blind economic policies.

For further information on the IGTN – Middle East and Gulf contact:

Lina Abou-Habib - Coordinator

CRTDA (Collective for Research and Training on Development - Action)

POB 165302 Achrafieh 1100 2030

Beirut - Lebanon

www.crtda.org