Women and Gender Issues
Harsh Realities: Marginalized Women in Cities of the Developing World
Oct 2020For women and girls urbanization is often associated with greater access to education and employment opportunities lower fertility rates and increased independence. Yet women are often denied the same benefits and opportunities that cities offer to men. Moreover women are frequently excluded from efforts to create more equitable and sustainable cities. Women living in urban slums particularly endure multiple hardships with basic needs such as durable housing and access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities often going unmet. This analysis based on data from 59 low- and middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean Central and Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa finds that women and their families bear the brunt of growing income inequality and failures to adequately plan for and respond to rapid urbanization.
Mainstreaming Gender in Free Trade Agreements
Oct 2020This report presents recommendations to boost the participation of women in trade through free trade agreements. Policymakers and trade negotiators will find a new toolkit to gauge gender responsiveness in their agreements. These lessons are based on a research assessment of 73 selected free trade agreements in force among 25 Commonwealth countries and top-line recommendations and model clauses for countries to adapt. The recommendations include embedding gender provisions in the preamble leveraging corporate social responsibility using reservations waivers and general exceptions and strengthening monitoring and dispute settlement mechanisms.
Trade and Gender Nexus in the Context of Regional Integration
Oct 2020This background paper uses a comparative perspective to evaluate the interplay between trade and gender in the context of regional integration efforts in Africa and Latin America using the case studies of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) respectively.
Will the Pandemic Derail Hard-won Progress on Gender Equality?
Oct 2020COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been declared a public health emergency of international concern and a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This global threat to health security underscores the urgent need to accelerate progress on achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and the need to massively scale up international cooperation to deliver on SDG 3. It also reveals what is less obvious but no less urgent: how health emergencies such as COVID-19 and the response to them can exacerbate gender inequality and derail hard-won progress not only on SDG 3 but on all the SDGs. This paper presents the latest evidence on the gendered impact of the pandemic highlights potential and emerging trends and reflects on the long-term impact of the crisis on the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The paper begins by presenting key facts and figures relating to the gendered impacts of COVID-19 followed by reflecting on the health impacts of COVID-19 on SDG 3 targets. Then the paper explores the socioeconomic and political implications of COVID-19 on women and gender across five of the Goals: SDG 1 (poverty) 4 (quality education) 5 (gender equality) 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduced inequalities). The paper concludes by outlining policy priorities drawn from the evidence presented.
The Impact of Marriage and Children on Labour Market Participation
Oct 2020This paper is being released in the midst of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In addition to being a health crisis unlike any other in recent history the pandemic is an economic and social crisis. Families—and women within them—are juggling an increase in unpaid care work as well as losses in income and paid work. Lone mothers in particular are acutely vulnerable unable to share the care burden and more likely to work for low pay and in vulnerable occupations. The restrictions put in place to combat COVID-19 also leave women and their families in precarious positions. Understanding the extent to which women’s participation in the labour market is linked to family structures is even more crucial in these uncertain times. This publication drawing on a global dataset and new indicators developed by UN Women and the International Labour Organization shows that women’s employment is shaped by domestic and caregiving responsibilities in ways that men’s is not. The data collected pre-COVID-19 provide insights into the distribution of domestic and caregiving responsibilities within various types of households—insights that are critical at this juncture when policies and programmes are being designed to respond to the pandemic’s economic fallout.
Comparing Global Gender Inequality Indices: Where is Trade?
Sep 2020This paper presents a comparative study of selected global gender inequality indices: The Global Gender Gap Index (GGI); the Gender Inequality Index (GII); and the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI). A Principal Component Analysis approach is used to identify the most important factors or dimensions such as health social conditions and education economic and labour participation and political empowerment that impact on gender and drive gender inequality. These factors are compared with the Sustainable Development Goal targets to assess how well they align. The findings show that while economic participation and empowerment are significant factors of gender equality they are not fully incorporated into gender equality indices. In this context the paper also discusses the absence of international trade a key driver of economic development from the gender equality measures and makes some tentative recommendations for how this lacuna might be addressed.
Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection
Sep 2020This working paper provides a concise narrative behind the graphic representation of the Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection (GRASSP) conceptual framework. The framework delineates the conceptual linkages between gender (including gender risks vulnerabilities discrimination and inequalities multidimensional deprivations affecting women and girls) and social protection. It proposes a systematic holistic and integrated approach for conceptualising the intersections between gender and social protection to achieve SDG1 (‘end poverty in all its forms everywhere’) and SDG5 (‘achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’) through careful planning design implementation and evaluation of a gender-responsive social protection system. The GRASSP conceptual framework builds on and expands existing conceptual and theoretical efforts focused on integrating a gender lens into public policy (see for instance Holmes and Jones 2013 GAGE Consortium 2017). Building on these earlier efforts the GRASSP conceptual framework brings together several integrated aspects related to gender social protection and the life course.
Bringing Education to the Most Marginalized Girls in Nepal
Sep 2020This research brief provides a snapshot of Girls’ Access To Education (GATE) a non-formal education programme that aims to bring the most marginalized adolescent girls in Nepal into school. The nine-month programme provides out-of-school girls with the basic literacy numeracy and life skills they need to enter and learn in formal schooling. The analysis draws on GATE monitoring data for 2018/19 covering 7394 GATE beneficiaries in five districts of Nepal and is combined with qualitative evidence including case studies and focus group discussions with former GATE participants conducted in 2019. The mixed-methods analysis finds that the GATE programme has been highly effective with 95% completion of the programme by enrolled girls and 89% of girls making the successful transition to formal school. Moreover GATE graduates enrolled in Grades 3 to 5 in formal schools outperformed non-GATE girls enrolled in the same grades even though GATE girls overwhelmingly had no prior formal school experience. Qualitative evidence reveals that poverty caring responsibilities and parents’ traditional views may be important factors in explaining why GATE girls had never previously attended school. Despite this GATE beneficiaries who were interviewed maintain a positive outlook on the future and have clear career goals. One of the recommendations stemming from this brief is to explore the feasibility of expanding GATE approaches to target out-of-school children in other contexts as GATE has been a cost-effective solution in the context of Nepal.
The Digital Revolution
Sep 2020The digital revolution brings immense potential to improve social and economic outcomes for women. Yet it also poses the risk of perpetuating existing patterns of gender inequality. This report begins by outlining a conceptual framework for understanding the mutual shaping relationship between gender and technology. It then focuses on three areas to identify opportunities and risks in the digital revolution: education work and social/welfare services.
From Insights to Action: Gender Equality in the Wake of COVID-19
Sep 2020Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic shrinking working hours increased care burdens and heightened violence have exacerbated the challenges that women and girls face. Unless action is taken by 2021 around 435 million women and girls will be living in extreme poverty including 47 million pushed into poverty as a result of COVID-19. This publication from UN Women presents the latest evidence on the multiple impacts of the pandemic on women and girls including how the crisis is affecting extreme poverty employment health unpaid care and violence against women and girls. Policy action is urgently needed to protect women’s health and well-being including ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services. The response to COVID-19 must also take into account the risks borne by essential health workers the majority of whom are women. The report calls for gender-responsive policies including the introduction of economic support packages for vulnerable women as well as long-term investments in social protection systems that reach all women and girls. Additionally improving gender data collection and expanding research on the gendered impacts of COVID-19 will be vital to understand the pandemic’s impact on different groups of women and girls.
مسح التطورات الاهتعادية والاجتماعية في المفظعة العربية 2019-2018
Sep 2020The Survey 2018-2019 observes that the Arab region experienced an economic recovery with a growth rate of 2.3% in 2018 up from 1.7% the year before. This recovery was largely attributed to hydrocarbon sector-led growth in the region’s oil-exporting countries particularly GCC countries. This growth momentum will continue at a modest pace of 2.6% in 2019 and further increase to 3.4% for 2020. Notwithstanding such positive prospect the region remains linked to geopolitical uncertainties which are further exacerbated by a number of ongoing intraregional diplomatic rifts and armed conflict. Meanwhile the Survey 2018-2019 claims that the main challenge facing nowadays the region is its delicate fiscal situation as several Arab countries have already established new energy subsidy systems aimed at maintaining affordable energy prices against oil price fluctuation. Employing CGE models the Survey 2018-2019 demonstrates that reducing energy subsidy generates a fiscal space for governments. If the ‘saved’ amounts are totally directed to the reduction of fiscal deficit fiscal sustainability could be enhanced but economic growth and job creation will be negatively affected. Such simulation result allows policymakers to assess the reform options that promote an inclusive and sustainable development.
COVID-19 and Conflict
Sep 2020This brief addresses the importance of women’s full equal and meaningful participation to an effective pandemic response and to peacemaking efforts and how the women peace and security (WPS) agenda can provide a critical framework for inclusive decision-making and sustainable solutions. While efforts to flatten the pandemic’s curve unfold around the globe violent conflict remains a deadly reality for far too many people. In March 2020 the UN Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire to allow the world to address COVID-19 (coronavirus). Since the outbreak of the pandemic women have been at the forefront of effective COVID-19 prevention and response efforts—from frontline service delivery to the highest levels of decision-making. With women’s participation central to achieving sustainable solutions the pandemic has brought into sharp relief how critical the WPS agenda is to inclusive and effective decision-making. This brief recognizes the vital role of women’s civil society organizations in mobilizing support for an urgent cessation of hostilities inclusive ceasefire processes and comprehensive peace talks. It also provides a preliminary analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on women’s participation in ceasefires and peace processes and offers a series of recommendations including on “building back better”.
The Global context and its implications for the Arab Region
Sep 2020Global economic growth continued at a moderate albeit slightly decelerated pace of 3.0 per cent in 2018 (figure 1.1A). This growth trajectory was largely attributed to the effect of the accelerated trade disputes between the United States and China. In addition the market sentiment for investment deteriorated amid weakened international trade activities and declining business confidence which started to worsen during the second half of 2018. Domestic macroeconomic policy challenges closely linked to high volatility of oil prices and escalated financial stress further complicated the global economy landscape.
Studying the effects of energy subsidy in the Arab Region: A macroeconomic and sectoral Assessment
Sep 2020Many developing countries have based their development model on the cheap energy paradigm. One of the most important tools for governing was the establishment of an energy subsidy system that maintained energy prices at an affordable price for households and firms even in the face of international oil price fluctuations. This system has been internalized by production businesses and many firms have developed their business plans on the basis of affordable energy. In many countries this system succeeded in maintaining access to energy for the poor created jobs protected nascent industries and secured energy. At the same time these energy subsidy systems put substantial pressure on the fiscal balance and balance of payments. The International Energy Agency estimated that global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $260 billion compared to $140 billion for renewable energy subsidies.
Executive Summary
Sep 2020The trajectory of world economic growth in 2018 was largely shaped by the effect of the intensifying trade dispute between the United States and China. The growth of global gross domestic product (GDP) slowed slightly by 0.1 percentage points to 3.0 per cent in 2018. International trade activity weakened and financial conditions tightened under the United States Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates. As a result business confidence and investment deteriorated over the course of the year. These circumstances combined with persistent geopolitical tension across the regions and the uncertainty of international policy are expected to restrain global economic growth at 2.7 per cent in 2019.
Acknowledgements
Sep 2020The report was prepared under the overall direction and guidance of Moctar Mohamed El Hacene Director of the Economic Development and Integration Division (EDID) at the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Mohamed Hedi Bchir Chief of the Modelling and Forecasting Section at EDID led a core team which included Ahmed Moummi Seung-Jin Baek and Nathalie Khaled. Research assistance and administrative support were provided by Arpy Atamian Maroun Laoun Abdullah Al Hamdi Hyunjin An and Sunkoo Lee.
Socioeconomic trends and developments in the Arab Region
Sep 2020Against a backdrop of the global development landscape the Arab region experienced an economic recovery with a growth rate of 2.3 per cent in 2018 up from 1.7 per cent the year before (figure 2.1A). This recovery was largely attributed to hydrocarbon sector-led growth in the region’s oil-exporting countries as oil prices continued to consistently increase through the first three quarters of 2018. Oil exporters particularly GCC countries witnessed a sizeable increase in oil export revenues.