Financial independence and the rising importance of their economic contribution to household incomes are key factors driving women to enter the workforce in the Mena region, according to a new survey by jobs site Bayt.com and YouGov.
Fifty-five per cent of respondents want financial independence through employment, while 51 per cent want to support their families and 42 per cent aim to secure their children's futures, the Working Women in the Mena Survey found.
Economic and social factors continue to alter the landscape for working women, said the survey, which polled more than 1,240 working women from 18 countries in the Mena region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.
“Our survey explores the status of working women across the Mena region by analysing their perceptions about equality at work and their motivations for employment,” Ola Haddad, director of human resources at Bayt.com, said.
“It identifies the employment challenges today’s working women face and examines how these concerns relate to their job and career decisions.”
A research report by global consultancy McKinsey & Company last year found that women's jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic compared with men's jobs.
“Women make up 39 per cent of global employment but account for 54 per cent of overall job losses [during Covid-19],” McKinsey said. “One reason for this greater effect on women is that the virus is significantly increasing the burden of unpaid care, which is disproportionately carried by women.
“This, among other factors, means that women’s employment is dropping faster than average, even accounting for the fact that women and men work in different sectors.”
The Bayt.com and YouGov survey found that 73 per cent of respondents in the Mena region are comfortable working in a mixed-gender environment, while just 4 per cent said they were uncomfortable.
“Overall, the majority of respondents believed women and men are treated equally in the workplace across a variety of areas including career progression, recruitment and selection and benefits,” the survey said.
Just over 60 per cent reported working the same number of hours as their male colleagues, while 22 per cent said they worked more hours, the survey found.
However, across the Mena region, 36 per cent of respondents believe their salary is lower than their male counterparts, while 46 per cent say they receive equal pay.
Meanwhile, 36 per cent of respondents said women have a lower chance of being promoted compared with 52 per cent who said promotions depend entirely on job performance and that gender plays no role in their career progression.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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GROUPS
Group Gustavo Kuerten
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Alexander Zverev (x3)
Marin Cilic (x5)
John Isner (x8)
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RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
