Project Notice |
|
| PNR | 506 |
| Project Name | Economic Integration of Women in the MENA Region |
| Project Detail | In spite of successful modernisation and progress in the field of education, the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) continue to have the world’s lowest participation rates of women in economic life. In the countries in which the project operates, an average of only 25 per cent of all women were in employment in 2009. Fundamental socio-cultural barriers impede the economic integration of women. In addition, there are institutional and legal barriers, such as poor access to vocational training or jobs in the formal (particularly private) sector, a lack of child care provision, inflexible working times and negative incentives in employment market policy. Objective The conditions for the integration of women in business and employment in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia have improved. Approach The project consists of four components: Changing attitudes and perceptions of women in employment In order to question and discuss the traditional role perceptions of women in society and working life, EconoWin is cooperating closely with national civil society organisations to carry out a media campaign on the subject of women and work. Events are being organised in all four countries, where existing films on the subject are being shown in order to stimulate public debate. In a second phase, new films will be shown that have been produced for the campaign. Advisory services and implementation of gender-sensitive economic and employment policies Many countries in the MENA region have introduced labour market laws favourable to women and families in recent years. However, these have often been inadequately implemented in the private sector to date, partly on account of a lack of social dialogue. EconoWin is therefore striving to collect, develop and publicise good examples in cooperation with the private sector in order to demonstrate the advantages of the greater integration and promotion of women. In parallel, the project fosters political dialogue on promoting the reconciliation of work and family life. Economic empowerment of women In order to strengthen the economic situation of women in disadvantaged regions, EconoWin is carrying out gender-sensitive analyses in selected subsectors with growth potential. The focus is on economic sectors where women are either already involved as employees, executives or entrepreneurs or sectors with the potential to integrate women for the first time. One approach is the gender-sensitive promotion of local supply chains for handicrafts or regional culinary products for the tourist industry in Tunisia. Professional orientation for women in higher and lower-qualified segments The number of appropriate jobs currently on offer for women has not kept apace with the growing number of female school-leavers and graduates in the MENA region. EconoWin therefore supports the transition of women from university to employment through schemes such as a Moroccan university’s women’s mentoring system. In Jordan, support is to be given to training young, less well-qualified women, for example as cooks or in service in order to facilitate their employment in the hotel and catering sector. Positive practical experience will promote the subsequent application of these approaches in other countries. Results achieved so far An open call for short film projects on the subject of women and work met with great interest among young Arabic film-makers in the four countries. A total of 110 project proposals were submitted. Two film projects from each country were selected by an expert jury and are being produced. Within the context of a business development partnership with Polaris International Industrial Parks, a work placement centre that is gender and youth-sensitive is being developed in the Cairo metropolitan area. In March 2012, a cooperation agreement on promoting women in Tunisia’s tourist industry was signed with TUI Deutschland GmbH. In October 2011, in collaboration with Oxfam-Québec, a workshop was held in Jordan for more than 40 potential partners on the subject of gender-sensitive value creation chains. After the workshop, many participants submitted project proposals, from which two per country were selected by a jury. These are now being analysed in accordance with the gender-sensitive value chain approach. The implementation of the selected measures will then be supported and financed. In mid-February 2012, EconoWin signed an agreement with Mohammed V Souissi University in Rabat and the Women’s Mentoring and Networking project (Réseau des Femmes pour le Mentoring/Networking — RFMN). The objective is to develop a women’s mentoring system, establishing a tandem of women students (mentees) and women who are already successfully integrated into working life (mentors). Accompanying measures are network meetings and further training sessions for mentors and mentees. |
| Funded By | Other Funding Agencies |
| Sector | Other Industries |
| Country | Ghana , Western Africa |
| Project Value | Plz Refer Document |
Contact Information |
|
| Company Name | 0 |
| Address | Postfach 12 03 22, 53045 Bonn, Germany, Tel: +49 / 228 / 9 95 35-0, Fax: +49 / 228 / 9 95 35-35 00. |
| Web Site | http://www.bmz.de/ |
