Only one in five women in the Arab region participates in the labour force, and women’s representation in national parliaments reached 17.7% in 2024, yet it remains among the lowest worldwide. These are some of the findings from a new ESCWA policy brief titled: “Gender Statistics in the Arab Region: Seeking a Long-Awaited Balance”.
The brief provides a snapshot of gender disparities across various sectors including politics, finance, education, employment, child marriage, and violence against women. It presents daily data-driven insights for policymakers, researchers and gender advocates.
The brief also calls for urgent action to enhance data collection, enforce gender-equitable policies, and accelerate reforms to achieve meaningful change.
