Political Empowerment and Women in the Middle East

Abstract

Despite the negative impact that gender inequality has on human and sustainable development, women’s participation in political life today remains extremely low. Only in a few countries do ​women occupy positions of great power and responsibility​. This is a problem that applies to the Middle East as well, however, there is an underlying dynamism which cannot be ignored and is seldom connected to the positive developments of this region. In order to make progress in gender issues, the United Nations has inserted gender equality into ​its ​2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN Women agency has been active in ​several​ Arab countries with a considerable number of initiatives. Such programmes aim at developing​ a conversation ​about​ women’s empowerment, improving governmental policies, involving​ civil society in shaping new laws and agreements ​in favour of​ gender equality. ​This paper will examine the importance of gender equality during crises and throughout the subsequent recovery process. This paper will focus on the progress being made in gender equality, specifically in the MENA region, and how this is being enhanced by the work of the United Nations.