Investigating the gender gap: loan provision and property ownership in Jordan - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

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Investigating the Gender Gap: Loan Provision and Property Ownership in Jordan

ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2023/WP.9


Country: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Publication Type: Working papers

Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development

Focus Area: Gender equality, Inclusive development, Future of employment

Initiatives: Gender statistics, Women’s economic empowerment

SDGs: Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Keywords: Jordan, Women's employment, Bank loans, Gender equality, Economic growth, Right to own property, Loans, Gender equality, Entrepreneurship, Women's rights, Women in development, Real property

Investigating the gender gap: loan provision and property ownership in Jordan

May 2023

Across the Arab region, gender inequality continues to limit women from realizing their rights and full potential. Despite some progress in recent decades, women in the region earn less than men, have lower access to resources, and remain underrepresented in economic leadership. This can be seen acutely in the areas of women’s property ownership and economic empowerment.

Unlocking women’s economic potential will require addressing the many intersecting constraints they face. This working paper has demonstrated that patterns and forms of lending for SMEs show vast discrepancies based on the gender and property ownership of borrowers. The data collected from several banks in Jordan present a starting point for in-depth investigation into other direct and indirect practices that may also contribute to the gender gaps identified in this paper. 

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Gender equality , Inclusive development , Future of employment
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