Presentation to: Abu Dhabi – NYU Workshop By: Nadereh Chamlou, Senior Advisor, MNA, The World Bank Silvia Muzi, The World Bank Hanane Ahmed, The World Bank Will Peoplepower Empower Women? Evidence from Amman, Cairo, and Sana’a April 11, 2011

Ratio of actual to potential FLFP Predicted or potential FLFP rates are: based on the characteristics of each country’s female population (fertility rate, education, population age profile) calculated using panel regression analysis for 71 countries and three points in time 1980, 2000, Ratio of actual to potential FLFP 2

Approach, Survey, and Data A. Approach based on : B. Survey and Data Pilot conducted in Tehran, showing high incidence of home-based work, and entrepreneurship. Lessons learnt from pilot used in design of survey in 3 MENA capitals. Data collected concurrently in 3 capitals representative of regional diversity & endowment. Sampling: two-stages cluster stratified sampling method Data collected: household and individual characteristics, employment, home-based activities, social norms and attitudes Use of capital cities as control for various country specific factors, as capitals enjoy similar positions within their respective countries, access to resources and sophistication. 3

Determinants of Labor Force Participation (Marginal Effects) Dependent Variable: Labor Force Participation Dummy 4

Main factors affecting female labor force participation (FLFP) 5

Unlike pilot in Tehran, incidence of home-based is smaller than expected. This debunks the myth that women are massively engaged in home-based. This indicates that they may face similar barriers in working even from home However, still 1 in 6 women in Amman, 1 in 5 in Cairo is likely to be home-based, self-employed or an entrepreneur. With dearth of opportunities to work in public or private sectors, this is an option that needs to expand. 7. Does Home-Based Work Provide an Option to Women’s Economic Empowerment? 6

6. Employment Status in Urban MENA by Income Groups In Amman and Cairo, the poorer women work less By contrast, in Sana’a, the richer women work less 7

6. Employment Status in Urban MENA by Education Except for Sana’a, male – female education levels are roughly similar, in “low to high” education. Women more represented with “no education” FLFP much higher with high education – across the board Unusually low participation rates of women with completed secondary education across all three countries. Low participation rate of women with low or no education, even though presumably among the poor. 8

6. Attitudes Towards Women Working Outside Home in MENA Attitudes toward women working outside affects women’s ability and decision to work outside. Labor force participation in households positively exposed to women’s work outside is a multiple of households opposed. 9

6. Average Years of Schooling by Sex and Age Little male-female education disparity in younger cohorts Younger cohorts of men and women in the survey have roughly same education levels 10

6. Attitudes Towards Women Working Outside, by Gender, Age and Income Women across income and age groups are less opposed to women working outside Non-acceptance of women’s outside work is high across income groups in all cities – with high-income groups slightly less Most surprising, younger men are more conservative toward women’s work outside than older generations Cairo is more conservative because of the relative magnitude of “under no circumstances” 11

Higher education is important in changing women’s attitude toward working outside. But, up to secondary level, education for men changes little in attitudes toward women’s work outside. Cairo remains the most conservative among the three cities – while in Amman and Sana’a, men with secondary education are less conservative. 6. Attitudes Towards Women Working Outside, by Gender and Education 12