I realized that I was ready to join the world of female entrepreneurship, develop my skills and contribute towards the development of other people in my region. Through my project I am trying to dispense with these ideas that persist mainly in the male community and to raise awareness among women about the importance of being active, so that they can find their place in society.”
Soukeina El Bouj
Beneficiary of the project Young Women as Job Creators
Youth and women constitute a huge resource as agent for change and the future of each country’s development. They are and can be a catalyst for positive change and a source of creativity and innovation, if an enabling environment is provided to facilitate their full participation and engagement. Their role in creating jobs, preventing climate change, addressing community needs or providing mediation services is everywhere demonstrated.
The focus on human development, through youth and women empowerment, as a main contribution to addressing the root causes of the current challenges faced by the Euro-Mediterranean region is at the heart of the UfM strategy. This strategy has been progressively built and structured over the past three years in close coordination with the UfM Member States and with the involvement of key stakeholders operating in the region, including local authorities, international organisations, donors, civil society and private sector.
 |
25% | of GDP per capita |
increase by promoting women’s economic empowerment
 |
13% – 15% |
of women own and manage their business in MENA region compared to 31-38% worldwide
 |
60% | of the euro Mediterranean population |
is currently under the age of 30, and the number of young people under the age of 15 is forecast to increase by over 18% by 2020
Strategic Objectives
Build and consolidate a regional common agenda to empower youth and women as main drivers for the region’s development and stability.
Enhance economic, social and civic participation of women and youth, as a key human development asset to build more inclusive and sustainable societies.
Ad-hoc Senior Official Meeting (SOM) on Women
Barcelona
4 July 2017
4 July 2017
Paris
11-12 September 2013
11-12 September 2013
Virtual Knowledge Centre on the Blue Economy
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