ABSTRACT
Occupations and professions are largely class phenomena for both men and women, but they exhibit a pronounced gender hierarchy as well. In the Middle East and North Africa, class, gender, and the state are the principal determinants of women's work and women's lives. The gender configurations that draw heavily on religion and cultural norms to govern women's employment patterns and women's lives in the Middle East are not unique to the Muslim countries of the region but also are present in the Jewish state of Israel. Beginning in the 1960s, state expansion, economic development, oil wealth, and increased integration within the world system have combined to create educational and employment opportunities favorable to women in the Middle East. The chapter considers the impact of global economic factors, national development, and state policies—especially during the 1960s and 1970s—on women's status and employment.
