Despite the crises clouding the Arab region and blocking its progress, the forces of change are shaping it like other regions.  The world of work is not an exception.  Digital technology is infiltrating many jobs and climate change is pushing industries to go green. But as the region races toward the “future of work”, a critical question remains: will women be full participants in this transformation, or will they continue to be sidelined or further excluded? 

Despite impressive gains in the region—where women now outpace men in science, technology and engineering fields in higher education —only one in five women are in the labour force, the lowest rate globally. The challenge is not women’s abilities—it is the systems that fail to recognize and support them. Yet, the story is not one of stagnation only. More women are breaking new ground, entering new fields as workers and entrepreneurs and challenging stereotypes.  

An upcoming research series by the UNDP and the Economic Research Forum explores what the future of work holds for women.   

Green and Blue Economies: New Sectors, Old Barriers? 

As traditional sectors, such as energy, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism go green, there is a chance to reimagine labor markets.  But unless policies are intentionally designed to include women, old gender gaps—like underrepresentation, lower pay and fewer protections—could continue. One big issue is the lack of data that shows how men and women are affected differently in old and new sectors. 

Digitalization: A Mixed Blessing 

Although the digital gender gap still exists, more women are entering tech jobs in the region. Furthermore, women-led firms are not lagging—they’re leading. Our research shows that in Egypt and Jordan and Morocco, women-led businesses are more likely to use digital tools and innovate than those led by men. Yet, without access to capital, mentorship, and networks, women can’t fully benefit from innovation for scale and productivity. Technology alone won’t fix deeper structural problems. 

Unpaid Work: The Hidden Burden 

Women in the region spend much more time on housework and caregiving than men. Data in Jordan and Palestine confirms that when unpaid care work increases, it pushes many women out of the labor force. Telework might seem like a solution, as it allows women a chance to balance between unpaid care and paid work. But in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, it does little to ease this burden. The problem isn’t the nature of the job alone; the real issue is a lack of supportive policies and persistent gender norms. 

What Needs to Change? 

The Arab region’s aspirations to be part of the future of work cannot be achieved if half of its economic potential is unutilized. This is not arguable, but our methods need to evolve. Here’s what needs to happen: 

• Invest in childcare, caregiving jobs and behavioral change to share unpaid care work more fairly.
• Create internships, strengthen networks, and provide financing, mentorship and support systems tailored to women workers and entrepreneurs.
• Use media and education to challenge gender stereotypes and promote shared responsibilities, and work with institutions to overcome biases.
• Reform policies and laws to reward gender equality and penalize discrimination.
• Collect better data to understand how men and women are affected in green, digital, and care-related jobs 

The Future of Work is not just about AI or fancy high tech climate solutions, it’s about people, and it’s about power. Who gets to participate? Who gets to benefit? Who gets to lead? 

We need a shift in power in order for our economies to cater for equality. It is only then that women can thrive, and it is only when women thrive that societies truly prosper.