'Her future is marriage': Young people's attitudes towards gender roles and the gender gap in Egypt

Authors

Maia Sieverding, Population Council
Rasha Hassan, Population Council

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

This report examines youth gender-role attitudes in Egypt using quantitative data, from the nationally representative Survey of Young People in Egypt 2009 and 2014, which provides a broad overview of youth gender-role attitudes throughout the country and among different subpopulations of youth. Qualitative data complements this analysis by offering a more in-depth view of how young people think about men and women’s roles in society and why they hold these beliefs. The findings also highlight the extent to which conservative attitudes of gender relations may influence practices even in the face of legal change. Gender-role attitudes are a deeply held component of individuals’ beliefs, and sustained, interactive engagement with young people is likely needed in order to influence them. In order to work toward more egalitarian gender attitudes among Egyptian young people, programs and policies must build from the understanding that these attitudes are not only about women, but rather are a part of the social norms that affect women's and men’s outcomes alike.

DOI

10.31899/pgy9.1014

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Sieverding, Maia and Rasha Hassan. 2016. "'Her future is marriage': Young people's attitudes towards gender roles and the gender gap in Egypt." Cairo: Population Council.

Project

Survey of Young People in Egypt