Nearly half of women in the region have taken career breaks due to family and caregiving responsibilities.

A PwC Middle East report, which surveyed 1,200 women across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Oman, found that women who return to the workforce following a career break have the potential to contribute nearly $385 billion to the overall GDP of the nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

More than two-thirds of the women surveyed shared that they have job experience in higher than entry-level posts, while 82% of women who re-entered the workforce said they aim to advance their careers to senior positions.

However, working towards such an aim proves difficult as nearly half of the women said they have rejected job applications due to gaps in their resumes. The report also outlines challenges women face when returning to the workforce, such as employer stigma, inflexible working arrangements, and the risk of slower career progression or reduced earnings.

The longer the unemployment period of the women, the more difficult re-entry is, according to the survey. 

“Women returning to work face obstacles to career advancement as employers do not view career breaks favorably, which results in a negative impact on earnings and career progression,” said Norma Taki, a Middle East inclusion and diversity leader, transaction services partner, and consumer markets leader at PwC.

She added that career breaks can adversely offer profound personal growth opportunities.

In combating such obstacles, the report said that providing the option of hybrid or remote work could help working moms balance their work and home responsibilities as required. 

At the same time, granting women alternative work options could also increase GDP by $4.3 billion, the report said.

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