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Economic Liberalization, Competitiveness and Women’s Employment in the Middle East and North Africa

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  • Massoud Karshenas

    (Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK)

Abstract

Since the early 1980s the majority of countries in the MENA region, facing severe foreign exchange shortages, have had to adopt policies directed toward stabilisation and structural adjustment of their economies. New development strategies based on greater market orientation, trade liberalization and reduction of state controls are being implemented at varying degrees amongst all the countries in the region. As a consequence, the question of employment generation and conditions of work in general, as well as those specific to women’s employment, are closely tied to the nature of the adjustment policies being implemented and their success in bringing about the structural changes necessary for the resumption of investment and output growth in the economy. In this paper we argue that far from being a side issue, attention to gender is indispensable to an understanding of the evolution of labour markets in the MENA region, and that increasing women’s labour-force participation in non-agricultural occupations is key to the success of structural adjustment and to the international competitiveness of MENA countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Massoud Karshenas, 1997. "Economic Liberalization, Competitiveness and Women’s Employment in the Middle East and North Africa," Working Papers 79, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK.
    • Handle: RePEc:soa:wpaper:79
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Haddad, Lawrence & Brown, Lynn R. & Richter, Andrea & Smith, Lisa, 1995. "The gender dimensions of economic adjustment policies: Potential interactions and evidence to date," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 881-896, June.
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