IDRC | CRDI 111d ago

Despite important advances in education and skills, women’s labor force participation in the Middle East and North Africa region has stagnated around 20 percent over the last three decades (World Bank, 2025). Addressing this gap is not only a moral imperative, it could increase GDPs per capita in the region by 50 percent (Fiuratti, Pennings and Torres, 2024). IDRC-funded research provides clarity on why this gap persists and pilots locally-developed advocacy, training, policy and other interventions to drive not only women’s employment but also entrepreneurship and leadership. To ensure a just and inclusive future, everyone deserves a seat at the table. Learn more: https://www.idrc.ca/MENA This video is part of a series of fictionalized accounts demonstrating IDRC’s impact across key themes. You can view the other videos at the below links: Climate-adaptive innovations for resilient communities in the Middle East and North Africa: https://youtu.be/OcTkqxqH4Zk Tackling digital violence against women in the Middle East and North Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psb3D6M0xtU