SESSION 4: PUBLIC POLICIES FOR GREATER EQUALITY- INTER-REGIONAL EXPERIENCES PUBLIC POLICIES FOR GREATER EQUALITY: LESSONS LEARNED IN THE ESCWA REGION Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Oussama Safa, Chief, Participation and Social Justice, ESCWA Inter-regional Expert Group meeting Public policies for equality and the Agenda 2030 ECLAC Headquarters, Santiago, Chile December 9-10, 2015, Sala Celso Furtado
Introduction The Arab region is generally presented as moderately to little unequal (data: Gini, household surveys, etc.). But Arab citizens perceive a different reality, indicating that people experience disparities across different areas of their lives. Drawing on UN DESA framework on Social Justice, we examine different inequality patterns in the Arab region and look at how they undermine social justice (equality, equity, human rights, and participation).
Outline 1. Income and Wealth Inequalities in the Arab region 2. Inequality of opportunities for decent employment 3. Inequality in the distribution of social services 4. Power Imbalances and obstacles to equity 5. Arab Countries on the Road to Social Justice?
1. Income and Wealth Inequalities in the Arab region
Income and Wealth Inequality Income inequality in the Arab region is mostly driven by inequalities between countries
Income and Wealth Inequality If income inequality seems to display a positive picture at the domestic level Table 1: Gini Index for Selected Countries Country Year Gini Index Iraq 2012 29.54 Egypt, Arab Rep. 2008 30.75 Jordan - 2010 33.69 West Bank and Gaza 2009 34.46 Sudan 2009 35.29 Tunisia - 2010 35.79 Mauritania 2008 40.46 Morocco 2006 40.88 Brazil 2012 52.7 Chile 2011 50.8 China 2011 37 India - 2011 33.6 Indonesia 2011 38 South Africa 2011 65 Note: Most recent data available. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, accessed on 24 June 2015. [1] Gini coefficient: Measure of the deviation of the distribution of income from a perfectly equal distribution. A value of 0 indicates absolute equality, while a value of 100 indicates absolute inequality. The Gini coefficient is mentioned earlier, so I suggest to move this definition.
Income and Wealth Inequality In some countries different measures of inequality point to wider within-country disparities Table 2: Income Inequality Measures Palma Country Quintile ratio ratio Country Quintile ratio Palma ratio 2003-2012 2003-2012 2003-2012 2003-2012 Qatar 13.3.. Palestine, State of 5.8 1.5 Saudi Arabia.... Egypt 4.4 1.2 United Arab Emirates.... Syrian Arab Republic 5.7.. Bahrain.... Iraq 4.6 1.2 Kuwait.... Morocco 7.3 2.0 Libya.... Yemen 6.3 1.7 Oman.... Comoros 26.7.. Lebanon.... Mauritania 7.8 1.9 Jordan 5.7 1.5 Sudan 6.2 1.4 Tunisia 6.4 1.5 Djibouti.... Algeria.... Somalia.... Note: Quintile ratio: Ratio of the average income of the richest 20% of the population to the average income of the poorest 20% of the population. Palma ratio: Ratio of the richest 10% of the population's share of gross national Copyright income 2014 (GNI) ESCWA. divided All rights reserved. by the No poorest part of this 40%'s presentation share. in all its Source: property may UNDP be used or (2014), reproduced HDR in any Database. form without a written permission
2. Inequality of opportunities for decent employment
Inequality in opportunities for decent employment Youth and Women face higher barriers to enter the labour market and get decent jobs: High unemployment rates affect young people the most The gender gap is strong and does not improve The size of the informal sector is very large creating a two-speeds economy Labour market disparities represent a serious threat to Arab societies cohesion, and a major obstacle to social justice
3. Inequality in the distribution of social services
3. Inequality in the distribution of social services Education and health outcomes remain highly correlated with income and other characteristics such as gender and place of residence: Unequal access to basic public services (water and sanitation, education, health) Low quality services and market duality (private versus public provision) Social protection coverage is fragmented and reinforces existing gaps
4. Power Imbalances and Obstacles to Equity
Power Imbalances People s Perception: Source: Spring 2014 Global Attitudes Survey. Pew Research Center.
Power imbalances Factors contributing to the status quo: Institutional obstacles and discriminatory laws undermine progress o Discrimination based on gender o Discrimination based on nationality / country of origin Lack of participatory channels for vulnerable groups Resistance to change (elites) Restrictive social norms (patriarchal model)
5. Arab Countries on the Road to Social Justice?
Arab Countries on the Road to Social Justice Social Development Report n. 1 - Main Findings : New constitutions include provisions on the promotion of social justice, (the right to social protection in Tunisia, allocation of resources % of GDP for health and education and research in Egypt, right to enjoy natural resources in Morocco..etc) More inclusive and participatory approach in the constitution-drafting process ( Nobel prize for the national dialogue in Tunisia that facilitated a peaceful transition, participation of most political parties and civil society in the process in Morocco and Egypt) Relatively high rates of popular endorsement for the new constitutions ( 98.1% in Egypt, 200 out of 216 deputies in Tunisia, and 49,98% in Morocco )
Arab Countries on the Road to Social Justice The transition period in some countries was marked by violations of freedom of expression and assembly ; In most transition countries, the fight against terrorism took precedence over socio-economic issues ; The provisions of new constitutions have not been effectively reflected/activated in national laws and legislation; In addition to having the right set of policies, implementation capacity and the promotion of a political environment that fosters accountability; transparency and the engagement of civil society are still needed for the achievement of social justice
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