Investing in women is both an economic imperative and a human rights issue. It is a human rights issue because the global economic and financial systems are complicit in perpetuating gender inequality.  At the same time, financial resources are required to overcome these challenges and build a world that enables all women to realize their rights.  Investing in women enables women to thrive, which contributes to prosperity that can be measured in financial terms.Our financial and economic systems do not work for gender equality
The world is pursuing growth at the expense of the health and wellbeing of people and the planet. The current financial system is driven by profit, which can be at women’s expense when the interests of investors don’t align with the needs and priorities of women. Climate change is a consequence of the unbounded consumption of fossil fuels without regard for its social and environmental costs. And at the heart of the climate crisis are the disproportionate impacts on women and girls who are more prone to the negative consequences of climate change.Globally interconnected markets and institutions shape women’s experiences and opportunities in ways that are not always equitable.  For example, because of patriarchal norms and attitudes about women in the world of work, women end up doing more unpaid care and domestic work, constraining their economic agency, autonomy, and well-being.  Women do three times more unpaid care work than men, but the economic value goes uncounted because it is invisible in measures such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  A disproportionate share of this work comes from women in low-income, migrant, and racialized groups, highlighting that women face discrimination due to factors like gender, race, disability and nationality.Women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights of men, and deep-rooted inequality dampens women’s economic opportunities. Women continue to be overrepresented in lower-paid jobs and sectors, and underrepresented where earning potential is greater. This is just one factor driving pay disparities between men and women. More than half of all women who work are in the informal economy, which is often precarious and vulnerable, with an even greater share—around 90 per cent—in developing countries. Globally, women in the paid workforce earn 20 per cent less than men on average, a gap that jumps to 35 percent in some countries. The inequalities are also startling in the world of business. For example, the gender gap persists in the number of established businesses (32 per cent) and those trying to get started (20 per cent). Inequality of opportunity in the economy compounds across generations, locking women into poverty and preventing them from benefiting equally from economic growth.Financial resources are necessary for women to realize their rights
Despite the challenges the financial system causes for women, reversing gender inequality requires financial resources. The projected annual shortfall on what is needed to achieve global gender equality goals is USD 360 billion. And evidence shows that at the current rate of progress, more than 342.2 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030.One of the most important area investments for gender equality is social protection, which is crucial for reducing poverty and vulnerability. However, only 26.5 per cent of women are covered by comprehensive social protection systems.In addition to financial resources, women need access to land, information, technology, and natural resources. In 2022, 2.7 billion people still lacked internet access, which is a major barrier to their ability to get a job or start a business. Women also are less likely than men to have ownership or secure tenure rights over agricultural land in 87 per cent of countries where data are available.Thriving women drive prosperous economies
Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment does not require a business case because human rights are priceless. We, however, know that women contribute to the economy directly through engagement in economic activities including formal work and entrepreneurship, and indirectly through other contributions including taking on a disproportionate share of unpaid care work. Evidence shows that closing gender gaps could boost GDP per capita by 20 per cent.Investing in women can be an opportunity.  It is estimated that closing existing gaps in care services and expanding decent works, would create almost 300 million jobs by 2035. Studies also show investment in the care sector could create almost three times as many jobs as the same investment in construction and produce 30 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in care will also free up much needed time for women to engage in activities of their choice including economic activities, education, or leisure. Despite these clear benefits, women continue to be left behind in the economy.Recognizing women’s rights as an investment issue is critical for creating transformative solutions that enable women to realize their rights, escape the cycle of poverty, and truly thrive. Investing in women is a cornerstone for building inclusive societies. Progress for women benefits us all. This story was originally published here: Why investing in women is a human rights issue | UN Women – Headquarters.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, UN Women Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) honors women in tech. The list of such remarkable women includes Fatema Haider, Senior Manager - Corporate Sustainability, Inclusivity and Culture at Zain Bahrain. Fatema’s journey demonstrates the power of investing in women and advancing equitable workplaces within the tech industry.“I started my career in the customer service department at a young age, and over the years, I have been fortunate to have a robust support system,” says Fatema. Fatema’s dedication and talent soon led her to the Human Resources – Organizational Development Function. Eventually, she embraced the challenge of advancing Corporate Sustainability, aiming to make a broader impact that extended beyond the workforce to the community and the country. Her role now encompasses overseeing Corporate Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Culture, aligning with the organization's commitment to knowledge, impact, and a comprehensive view of culture and sustainability.Fatema was one of the first representatives of Zain Bahrain to advocate for the advancement of women, a direction set by Zain Group in 2017. With her team’s support, she has initiated policy enhancements, awareness sessions, capacity-building training and more, all under the overall objective of promoting gender equity and parity in the tech industry. Among her projects, in  cooperation with the Bahrain Supreme Council for Women and Clever Play, is the ‘Girls for Tech’ programme, primarily focusing on digital literacy and the empowerment of Bahraini women in the tech sector.According to Fatema, investing in women includes enhancing their access to and participation in the economy through skills training, funding, entrepreneurship programmes, and advocating for gender equality and equal opportunities in all fields. It also includes promoting social and career progression, funding education from a young age, and the improvement of women’s health and welfare. Fatema believes that when there are more women in leadership, this will ultimately enable diversity of opinion to come into play, boosting decision making and problem solving.Zain Bahrain’s dedication to women’s advancement is a core value of the Zain corporate culture. Initiatives include mentorship programmes, leadership training, targeted training workshops, and strategic awareness campaigns pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company also encourages gender-conscious recruitment practices and policies that target attracting high-quality female talents to help foster an environment where women can develop and prosper.Zain Bahrain takes pride in championing inclusivity and gender equity. “Women's advancement isn't just a concept for us, it's a commitment deeply ingrained in our culture, and an ongoing conversation with our management team. Our investment in the women who are part of our team is continuous,” says Fatema.To this end, a more diverse as well as supportive workplace has been achieved with 48% of new hires being female in 2023 and the increasing presence of women in management positions. Fatema’s accomplishments include her support of women in the tech industry and her input to Zain Bahrain’s initiatives that help promote women’s advancement and empowerment. In her opinion, achieving such an environment for women in tech involves diversity and inclusion efforts, equal career progression opportunities, flexible work opportunities and mentorship and networking initiatives.Fatema calls on women the world over celebrating International Women’s Day, particularly those interested in the tech industry, to remain strong, resilient and continue championing equal livelihoods and representation. She pictures a future where more women are involved and thriving in the tech industry, with leadership positions fueled by diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, mentorship programmes, and the promotion of equal opportunity.Fatema Haider is a testimony to the power of investing in women; not only for their own benefit, but for the tech industry and society at large. Her work at Zain Bahrain is representative of how organizations provide a supportive workplace for women and allow them to emerge as valued contributors in the technology sphere. *Zain Group is a Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Signatory. To learn more about how your company can join, visit: www.weps.org 

Manama, Bahrain - "Why? You're a girl. Why would you subject yourself to such physicality?" These questions have followed Nadeen Yateem throughout her journey to become Bahrain's first female Muay Thai fighter. Growing up, sports were always a big part of Nadeen’s life, but martial arts did not have a strong presence in her culture. That changed when she discovered Muay Thai in high school.Fascinated by the intense discipline and athleticism of the sport, Nadeen dove headfirst into training. What began as a hobby and fitness routine during university evolved into a burning passion, Nadeen was surrounded by inspirational fighters committed to perfecting their talent. She soon stepped into the ring herself, determined to excel in competitions on the regional and global stage.The road has not been easy. Nadeen has faced skepticism and criticism from a society that frowns upon women entering aggressive, male-dominated activities. "In a world where family, society, and even strangers have questioned my choices,” she recounts many urging her to “embrace her feminity.” Nadeen insists that being a fighter does not diminish that femininity in any way. On the contrary, Muay Thai has been an empowering form of expression. "What drew me into this sport is its detachment from emotion. It is not personal. It is a disciplined art form," she declares. Today, as the first Bahraini woman to reach a professional status in Muay Thai, Nadeen hopes to inspire other girls to fearlessly pursue their passions, no matter how unconventional. Her achievement is a deeply personal one rooted in improving herself, not outdoing others. "It’s not about competing, it’s more about leveling up my skills and becoming better," Nadeen says.Through her athletic achievements and national recognition, Nadeen has created vital representation for ambitious young women and girls who may have previously felt excluded. "Statements like 'male-dominated' and other exclusive labels should not be a barrier for women to take the opportunity towards growth and self-development," she adds.As Nadeen emphasizes,“Advocating for women does not have to take grand gestures.” Simple acts, she believes, like encouraging other women to pursue their passions or mentoring the next generation of women fighters can have meaningful impact. She has also raised her voice in global forums such as TEDxManamaWomen to directly address gender inequality in regional sports.In her career, Nadeen has inevitably faced multiple challenges - from men refusing to train with her based on the assumption that women are inherently "weak," to colleagues taking it easy on her as a result of the same misguided stereotypes about female fragility. 
 But with the support of a coach who rejects traditional stereotypes and her own determination to prove the capabilities of women time and again, Nadeen continues to smash barriers and serve as an inspirational force for women athletes across the Arab world. Her example vividly demonstrates that being a top athlete has no gender.Nadeen Yateem’s journey is one of perseverance in the face of adversity, fueled by a solid commitment to excellence. She paves the way for Bahraini women to enter spaces that were not made for them, but which they can boldly claim as their own. Hers is a journey of kicking down limits, one round at a time. 

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the Government of Bahrain held today in Manama a strategic prioritization workshop to get a common understanding of the state of sustainable development in the Kingdom and identify key opportunities to accelerate achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.    Held only a few days after a meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Bahrain, the workshop aimed to jointly identify strategic priorities for the collaboration between the United Nations and Bahrain as they embark on the formulation and design of a new UNSDCF for the period 2025-2029.    Participants from the UNCT and different government entities discussed strategic priorities for UN engagement in Bahrain through 2025-2029 based on alignment with national priorities, United Nations added value, and UN guiding and programming principles for a transformational effect, reach and impact. Participants elaborated on development solutions and opportunities that will set the basis for a shared vision of the next development cooperation cycle.      "Bahrain has made commendable progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting strong national commitment and innovative approaches. Yet, as we approach the final stretch toward 2030, it's crucial to harness this momentum to close existing gaps and further accelerate SDG achievements," said Khaled El Mekwad, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain.    "The United Nations will continue supporting Bahrain's efforts, as our past initiatives have laid a strong foundation, and ongoing projects continue to support the nation's priorities, particularly in enhancing data capabilities, advancing gender equality, and fostering sustainable economic growth," El Mekwad said.    "As we approach the conclusion of the current framework that commenced in 2021 and is set to end in 2024, we must acknowledge that the past three years have been a testament to the transformative power of partnership. Through the previous framework, we have witnessed remarkable progress. Key initiatives and projects were formulated, and resources were channelled to address pressing challenges, from advancing human capital development to fostering environmental stewardship, we have collectively paved the way for a more prosperous Kingdom of Bahrain," said Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs. "This workshop is integral to defining our strategic priorities and incorporating them into the forthcoming cooperation framework, and in this endeavour, we will draw inspiration and guidance from the 2023-2026 Bahrain's Government Action Plan, which stands as a primary guiding document for our collective efforts," Al Khalifa said.    Currently, 21 United Nations agencies, funds and programmes support the government of Bahrain through their in-country and regional offices. In preparation for today's prioritization exercise, the UNCT came together earlier this week to collectively reflect on their strengths in the context of Bahrain, elaborate a shared understanding of expectations and comparative advantage of the UN Development System and develop a shared vision of how to continue supporting the Kingdom in achieving the SDGs in 2025-2029.