Empowering Women to Rejoin the Workforce in the Middle East and North Africa
In a groundbreaking survey conducted by PwC Middle East, it was revealed that women rejoining the workforce after a career gap could potentially contribute a staggering $385 billion to the economies of nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. This highlights a significant opportunity for increased employment potential and GDP growth in the region.
Challenges Faced by Women Returning to Work
The survey, which gathered insights from over 1,200 women in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and others, indicated that nearly 50 percent of working women in the MENA region have taken career breaks, often due to family and caregiving responsibilities. Despite the desire of 82 percent of women to climb to top levels in their careers, 49 percent have faced rejected job applications due to resume gaps.
Importance of Supportive Measures
The study emphasized the need for companies to adopt supportive measures, such as flexible working models and returnship programs, to facilitate a smooth transition for women reentering the workforce. Implementing these strategies could potentially generate $4.3 billion in GDP gains across the surveyed countries.
Addressing Gender Disparities
Norma Taki, Middle East inclusion and diversity leader at PwC, highlighted the obstacles women face in career advancement due to employer biases against career breaks. She stressed the importance of providing equitable parental leave policies and well-designed returnship programs to encourage more women to return to employment.
Unlocking the Potential of Women in the Workforce
The report underscored the immense talent pool that women reentering the workforce bring and the critical role they play in the success of businesses across the region. Hani Ashkar, Middle East senior partner at PwC, emphasized the need for businesses to address biases and inequalities to promote gender diversity and drive growth.
Moving Toward Gender Equality
By embracing women’s roles in the workforce, businesses can not only fulfill a moral imperative but also catalyze growth in the region. Taking proactive action is essential to bridge the gender gap and create a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
Progress in Female Labor Force Participation
In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have seen a significant increase in female labor force participation, signaling progress in economic diversification efforts. Countries in the GCC region have made strides in increasing average female labor force participation, highlighting a positive trend toward gender equality in the workforce.