This much-needed book explores Arab women's share in employment and their contribution to national economic development. It documents the patterns and trends of female employment and highlights the determinants of labour force participation in a number of countries.

A distinguished cast of contributors look at the systematic and cultural bias in underestimating women's real contribution to national produce and family welfare and explore the consequences of that bias. A major concern is to improve the statistical information available by including the often omitted aspect of disaggregation by gender.

The authors highlight and analyse a variety of factors which limit the scope of women's employment - including educational opportunities and attainments, prevalent social norms and discriminatory practices. Finally they explore the policy implications for improving Arab women's lot, especially in the world of work.

1. The book analyses the political economy of female employment while also investigating the real issue of women as mobilisers of human resources in the Arab world. Specific country case studies cover a cross-section of different profiles of socio-economic development and cultural values. The volume concludes with a statistical review of recent human developmental indicators for the Arab world.