What is the general/overall thesis of the Report concerning the causes of the “puzzle”? Do you find it a convincing/strong thesis?

Please read Chapter 1 (gender equality facts and puzzle) in the WB Report and answer the following questions (you may also wish to consult the overview chapter that overlaps chapter one to an extent):

• The chapter stresses that in recent decades much progress has been achieved in MENA in various spheres of human development in general and in gender equality in particular. What are these spheres? Which indicators measure the progress (specify the changes measured)? To what factors is the progress attributed?
• However, No equivalent/correlating progress has been observed in other spheres, among them women’s LFPR and women’s political participation. Please elaborate on this finding, referring to the relevant indicators. Why this gap/incongruity is considered a puzzle?
• What is the general/overall thesis of the Report concerning the causes of the “puzzle”? Do you find it a convincing/strong thesis?

Please read Chapter 3 in the WB report (economic incentives) and answer the following questions:

• The chapter relates to a number of salient characteristic of the economies and of state economic policies in MENA countries, as having a “dampening” effect on women’s participation in the labor force. Enumerate these factors and elaborate on each.
• Did you find the explanation (s) offered in this chapter satisfactory in terms of their contribution to solving the “puzzle”?
• Based on your readings of chapters 1 and 3 in the report, on your reading of pages 80-100 in Moghadam’s book and on our class discussion, what are the differences between the approach with which Moghadam analyzes the economic factors that (negatively) affect women’s LFP in MENA and the approach adopted in this World Bank report?