The European Commission launched the Surging Women's Employment Initiative to expand economic opportunities for women in the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative will mobilize EUR 25 million, including EUR 10 million from the European Union, and aims to help create 500,000 additional jobs and increase women's employment in the region by 5% by 2030. Working with UN Women and other partners, the initiative will support skills development, entrepreneurship and private sector-led job creation. It will also promote reforms, encourage businesses to expand women's employment and develop opportunities in sectors including care, green industries, science and technology. Women's labor market participation in the region has remained at about 20% on average for more than two decades.
2026-09-24European Commission
European Commission launches EUR 25 million initiative targeting 500,000 additional jobs for women in the Middle East and North Africa
The European Commission launched a EUR 25 million initiative, including EUR 10 million in EU funding, to expand women's employment in the Middle East and North Africa. It targets 500,000 additional jobs and a 5% increase in women's employment by 2030 through skills, entrepreneurship, reforms and private sector-led job creation.