Abstract

Globally, 2 billion unpaid workers, 76% of whom are women, contribute three times more than men to unpaid care work, which limits their economic opportunities. In the Arab World, women spend 17 to 34 hours weekly on unpaid care, significantly more than men, affecting their labor force participation. In Lebanon, women’s low participation rate (28%) is largely due to their disproportionate childcare responsibilities. Dr. Inaya Ezzedine’s recent proposals to amend the Lebanese Labor Law aim to provide women with more flexible work arrangements. Additionally, migrant domestic workers in the Arab World face exploitation under the Kafala system, lacking sufficient labor protections. To address these challenges, the Embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, in collaboration with the Asfari Institute and UN Women, organized a workshop on July 10, 2023, to discuss women’s economic empowerment and policy challenges amid the economic crisis and proposed labor law amendments.This outcome document outlines policy recommendations to address critical issues impacting women’s economic participation and labor rights. 

Date: 2023