Abstract

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. Moreover, it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality of rights and opportunities between men and women, warns UN Women. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to end the multiple forms of gender violence and secure equal access to quality education and health, economic resources and participation in political life for both women, girls, men and boys. It is also essential to achieve equal opportunities in access to employment and to positions of leadership and decision-making at all levels. The question here is, is there anyone who understands the value of women and appreciates their correct role without compromising the inherited traditions and ignoring that harm women? This question is more pertinent for the Arab Republic of Egypt with a population of 100 million people, according to Egypt’s 2017 Population Census 2017 of which 48 percent are women.

This paper will examine the demographic differentials & change on gender in Egypt in the period 2013-2019; identify the current socio situation by gender of school drop-out rates and, identify the current economic situation by gender in the working age-group 15-64. This three-pronged approach will provide insight into key demographic differentials and changes in gender inequality in Egypt. The paper makes use of a descriptive analysis approach in studying the issue of women and their demographic characteristics in Egypt. It also relies on the analytical method in order to infer and conclude the change in the level of education for women and economic activity by measuring the Gender Gap Index (GGI), and the Gender Inequality Index (GII) at national level. The paper makes an important contribution to understanding gender differentials in the variables influencing a strong Arab economy and how Egypt’s population’s potential can be fully harnessed towards data-driven sustainable development, while closing the wide gender gap in key areas of Egypt’s society, education’ and labor market.