Brussels:The European Commission has introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing women's employment in the Middle East and North Africa. The Surging Women's Employment Initiative, part of the Pact for the Mediterranean, seeks to create 500,000 jobs for women by mobilizing £25 million, with £10 million contributed by the EU. The initiative aims to raise women's employment in the region by 5% by 2030.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka €š¬¦ uica unveiled the initiative at an event with UN Women during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. €š¬¦ uica emphasized the importance of women's economic empowerment, not just for equality, but for unlocking talent and driving growth across the Mediterranean.

The labor market participation of women in the Middle East and North Africa has stagnated at around 20% for over two decades. Reducing the employment gap between genders could potentially increase regional GDP by 60%, enhancing productivity, innovation, and economic resilience.

The initiative will involve collaboration between the EU, UN Women, and other partners to expand economic opportunities for women, with a focus on skills, entrepreneurship, and job creation. It will support private sector-led growth reforms, encourage businesses to employ more women, and develop job opportunities in promising sectors such as care, green industries, science, and technology.

This initiative is part of the broader Pact for the Mediterranean, which focuses on investing in people, skills, and economic opportunities to strengthen EU-Mediterranean relations. Over 900 companies have signed the Women's Empowerment Principles, and UN Women has facilitated reforms of 20 laws in Arab States to support women's economic participation.