Nejla Ben Mimoune

Research Associate

Bio

Nejla Ben Mimoune is a research associate at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. Previously, she was a research assistant at the Brookings Doha Center, where she examined topics such as economic diversification in the Gulf, youth transition in MENA, and labor market dynamics. She holds a master’s of development economics and works on development issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She has consulted for different international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UN ESCWA). She contributed to several reports on inequality of opportunity, youth unemployment, and labor market skills needs, among others.

Articles

Racism Row Puts Another Blot on Tunisia’s Post-2011 Gleam

Controversial comments from the President Kais Saied have spotlighted the issue of race in Tunisia, and triggered both attacks on black migrants and citizens and popular backlash. What’s driving the issue and how is it adding to Tunisia’s woes?

Nejla Ben Mimoune

Why Do Young Tunisians Trust the Sea over Their Country?

The month of September ended in tragedy for several families in the small coastal city of Zarzis in southern Tunisia. Around 18 young people went missing during an attempt to reach Europe, believing a tiny boat would carry them to a land of more opportunity. Yet, like many before them, they never reached their destination… Continue reading

Nejla Ben Mimoune

Publications

March 28, 2023

Gulf Countries -

Women of the Gulf Break Labor Market Barriers: A Journey in Progress

Women nationals in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have made remarkable progress in terms of educational attainment and labor force participation. GCC countries now lead the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in terms of female employment among nationals (i.e., citizens). The rapid improvement in female economic participation in the Gulf has propelled them to the forefront of women’s economic empowerment in the MENA region. This goes against persistent historical narratives that depict the Gulf states as outliers in terms of repression of women’s economic, social, and political freedoms.

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February 28, 2023

Gulf Countries - MENA region - Middle East - North Africa -

Breaking the Cycle: How Can the MENA Region Tackle Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity has become a pressing issue worldwide. The repercussions of the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of COVID-19, amidst a global economic slowdown, have all intensified the global state of food insecurity. Food systems have been disrupted leaving many without access to sufficient nutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 222 million people (2.8 percent of the global population) are currently suffering from acute food insecurity, and undernourishment currently stands at around 10 percent of the population. The situation is projected to worsen, with the United Nations (UN) estimating that by 2030, eight percent of the global population will face hunger.

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