EU Launches Mediterranean Women's Employment Initiative with €25 Million
The European Commission launched the Surging Women's Employment Initiative under the Pact for the Mediterranean, mobilising €25 million (including a €10 million EU contribution) to create 500,000 additional jobs for women in the Middle East and North Africa and raise women's employment by 5% by 2030. Women's labour market participation in the region has remained at around 20% on average for over two decades. Unveiled by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica with UN Women during the 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week, the initiative focuses on skills, entrepreneurship and job creation in sectors including care, green, science and technology.
Impact and considerations
The initiative links EU funding to private-sector reforms and encourages businesses to expand women's employment, potentially affecting recruitment, ESG compliance and localisation strategies for multinationals operating in MENA. Narrowing the gender employment gap could increase regional GDP by as much as 60%, with l…
Key points
- The European Commission launched the Surging Women's Employment Initiative, mobilising €25 million including a €10 million EU contribution.
- It aims to create 500,000 additional jobs for women in MENA and raise women's employment by 5% by 2030.
- Women's labour market participation in the region has remained at around 20% on average for over two decades.
- The initiative focuses on skills, entrepreneurship and job creation in sectors including care, green, science and technology.
- The EU will work with UN Women and other partners to support private sector-led growth reforms.
- Narrowing the gender employment gap could increase regional GDP by as much as 60%.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 24 Sept 2026, 16:51
- Page published
- 24 Sept 2026, 18:22
- Last updated
- 24 Sept 2026, 16:51
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Daily News 24 / 09 / 2026 (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 24 Sept 2026, 16:51