Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Liberating Women in the Middle East

Abstract

Middle East Region is home to more than 400 million people, representing 5% of world population, and boasts a
workforce of 103 million scattered across 22 countries (Lord, 2016). Sixty five percent of the populations are young
aged 25 or under, which puts growing stress on educational, health and social systems. Over the last decade, most
Middle East countries put into action many reforms for women’s rights and sensitivity toward gender issues. Currently,
almost all Middle East countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW). Many nations in the Region shown strong commitment to uplift education and make them
accessible to all eligible women. There was also substantial increase in the allocation of funds for education in nearly
all Middle East nations. For a balanced national development, women are needed in the various areas where their
functions are most suitable. In principle, there are equal opportunities for both genders but social perception and
prejudice determine which types of employment are particularly suitable for women or men. Several renowned Middle
Eastern women are Physicians, Chemist, Physicist, Engineers, Doctors, Judges, Lawyers, Journalist, Poets, Novelist
and even Legislatives (Islam, 2017)