53% of women in Islamic countries do not participate in the job market

A new report released by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) notes that 53% of women living in the 75 countries of OIC (which accounts for 1.6 billion people) do not participate in the job market.  The report insists on the importance of raising this proportion by 15% by the year 2025, and as part of the region’s ten year plan, so as to catch up with the world average of 57% and the average of 66% for developed countries.

According to the same report which was released two days ago by OIC, the low level of women’s participation  in the job market is essentially due to poor educational attainment compared to men thus resulting in the clear gender gap. The report further indicates that the poor participation of women in the job market leads to their marginalization and denial of their right to social security.  The report also placed special emphasis on rural women who remain without protection and are unable to adhere to any social protection scheme and highlighted that women in OIC still face discrimination on education and in the job market.  Finally, the report insisted on the necessity of strengthening civil society’s involvement in women’s empowerment, “building families” as well as building the capacities of youth and elderly in order to achieve social development in the countries of OIC.

 

(Source: Al-Diyar 19 January,2015)