Women are fundamental players in building and shaping the region’s economies and contributing to the success of every company and every business. They constitute half, and in many cases more than half, of the available workforce in every country. As critically important team members, workers, and leaders, women add value and an influence on their jobs no less than that of their male counterparts.
The Bayt.com Working Women in the Middle East and North Africa survey measures the perceptions of women in the region when it comes to equality at work, motivations for employment, challenges faced, as well as career and life ambitions. The survey provides an important view of the provisions and services employers currently offer their employees in the workplace – while also considering gender balance as a whole. Moreover, this survey gives insights into what employers could be doing to further improve the workplace for their female employees and, subsequently, optimize their performance.
Here is what you need to know about the status of working women in the Middle East and North Africa this year:
1. Working in a mixed gender environment
The work environment can be truly influential on employees’ performance, men and women alike. When it comes to the work environment, nearly three quarters (73%) of women surveyed reported having a mix of men and women working together in the same space. Further, three quarters (75%) of women who work in mixed-gender environments report being comfortable with it and nearly half (43%) saying that they are extremely comfortable with it. Although 80% of respondents working in a mixed – gender environment report having a male manager at their current organization, two thirds (69%) have no gender–based preference for a manager.
2. Fairness of labor laws
The labor laws of each country are often subject to debate when it comes to fairness and effectiveness. Nine in ten (91%) female respondents stated that they have some familiarity with the labor laws of their country of residents, with nearly half (44%) claiming to be very familiar. Of those familiar with the labor laws, three quarters (75%) stated that they are fair to women, at least to some extent.
3. Gender discrimination in the Workplace
From sourcing and hiring employees, to training and development, promotions and salary raises, all of these stages can have room for gender discrimination. When it comes to this matter, the opinions are nearly split. The survey revealed that 47% of respondents feel that job offers are based on experience and qualifications and gender plays no role in the decision. 47% of respondents have never been asked questions that made them feel discriminated against as women during a job interview. Further, nearly half (46%) of respondents report that they are not treated less favorably or discriminated against as women in the workplace.
4. Treatment of men vs. women at work
Despite the fact that nearly two thirds (63%) of women surveyed agree that they work the same number of hours as male colleagues, less than half (48%) of women in MENA believe that their chance of being promoted depends entirely on job performance and gender plays no role, and one half of them feel that they are paid less than their male counterparts.
5. Challenges women face in the workplace
The top three challenges that women face in their work environment are less opportunity for job promotions (51%), stressful and demanding work environment (39%), and a lack of sufficient job training and coaching (35%). When it comes to raising families, nearly three quarters (70%) of respondents with children believe that their decision to have children has affected their career to some extent. Having said that, one third (33%) of respondents believe that their marital life has been affected positively by their career choices.
