Women’s economic empowerment in the Middle East is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. When women have economic opportunities and legal rights, economies grow, extremism declines, and societies become more stable. This, in turn, enhances global security—including the stability of the United States. By investing in programs that promote women’s economic independence, the U.S. can foster prosperity in the region while advancing its own strategic interests. International assistance and America’s commitment to empowering women economically is a key pillar of national security.

Economic Growth & Stability

Empowering women in the Middle East presents a major economic opportunity. The World Economic Forum estimates that closing the gender gap in labor markets could boost GDP in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by $2.7 trillion (47%). Higher female labor force participation enhances economic resilience, with the International Monetary Fund highlighting its role in fostering sustainable growth, reducing income inequality, and promoting economic diversification.

Women’s economic empowerment is linked to a decline in extremism, as gender-equal societies often experience lower violence and radicalization. The United Nations Development Programme emphasizes that inclusive development, including women’s empowerment, is crucial for preventing extremism. Additionally, the Middle East Institute highlights that when women have access to education and employment, they help disrupt the socioeconomic conditions extremist groups exploit, making counter-terrorism efforts more effective.

Programs

Past efforts show that economic empowerment programs must be tailored to local contexts, and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a U.S. Department of State initiative, has played a key role in fostering leadership and economic development. Programs like the MEPI Student Leaders Program (SLP) have empowered young leaders to drive innovation and economic development in their communities.

For example, with assistance from a MEPI Leaders Grant, Nora Chaynane, a 2019 alumna of SLP, successfully trained 50 participants across 10 Moroccan regions to harness technology and innovation. Through her S.5 Project, she secured additional funding to equip youth—60% of them women—with creativity, problem-solving, and global citizenship skills. Participants expanded the program’s reach to 200+ people, with 93% providing positive feedback and reporting increased awareness of issues like climate change, brain drain, and COVID-19’s impact. MEPI’s focus on skill-building and local leadership continues to drive lasting economic and social benefits.

Building on past efforts, the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative was launched during the first Trump administration to create more sustainable and locally driven approaches to women’s economic empowerment. W-GDP has invested over $300 million globally, including in the Middle East, to support female entrepreneurship, legal reforms, and workforce training. By removing legal barriers and fostering female-led businesses, it addresses key structural challenges that earlier initiatives, like MEPI, often overlooked. As Ivanka Trump emphasized, “The economic empowerment of women shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘women’s issue.’ Smart development assistance benefits families, communities, and nations.”

Economic Benefits for the U.S.

A stable and economically prosperous Middle East means stronger trade partners for the United States. In 2024, U.S. exports to the Middle East amounted to $80.4 billion, up 5.8 % ($4.4 billion) from 2023. Women’s economic empowerment would expand markets and consumer spending. By increasing female workforce participation and entrepreneurship, it would also strengthen economic ties with the U.S. When women are economically active, household incomes rise. This leads to greater demand for goods and services — including those imported from the United States. Studies have shown that when women gain financial independence, they reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities, driving economic expansion. Furthermore, supporting women-led businesses and job creation in the Middle East not only strengthens local economies but also opens new trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education. Deeper economic integration benefits both regions, reinforcing stability and mutual prosperity.

Strategic and Security Benefits

A 2024 analysis by the Harvard Kennedy School highlights that investing in women’s economic empowerment yields tangible benefits for economic growth, political stability, and social cohesion. Inclusive economies, the report notes, tend to be more resilient and competitive, demonstrating higher productivity and innovation. One striking finding suggests that closing existing gaps in care services and expanding women-focused employment programs could generate up to 300 million new jobs by 2035. Moreover, women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities—significantly more than the 30–40% typically reinvested by men—amplifying the social and economic returns of such investments. These dynamics not only foster more sustainable global markets but also help stabilize regions that might otherwise face economic disruptions, ultimately protecting U.S. business interests and enhancing international security.

Additionally, reducing economic instability in the Middle East mitigates migration pressures, which have broader economic and security implications for the U.S. and its European allies. A stronger Middle Eastern economy with greater female participation would alleviate dependency on development assistance and improve global economic interconnectivity.

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment in the Middle East is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for economic growth, stability, and security—both regionally and globally. The evidence is clear: when women have greater economic opportunities, societies experience lower levels of extremism and stronger economies. U.S. investment in women’s economic inclusion strengthens not only the region but American economic and security interests by expanding trade opportunities, reducing instability, and fostering long-term resilience.

Moving forward, the U.S. should prioritize sustained funding for female entrepreneurship, encourage private sector investment in women-led businesses, and integrate gender considerations into trade and foreign policy. Empowering women is not just about fairness; it is a pragmatic approach to fostering prosperity and stability. By leading in this effort, the U.S. can help shape a more secure, prosperous Middle East while advancing its own strategic goals.