Talking to Muscat Daily on sidelines of the third meeting on Women in Business and Management held in Muscat on Monday Deborah France-Massin director Bureau for Employers' Activities ILO said 'The challenges for women in MENA is similar to those in other parts of the world.

They enter the workplace that is pretty much segmented. Women don't have time to network and sometimes quit as they are unable to strike a balance. Companies also need to increase the number of senior women on board. The MENA region has the lowest representation globally for women in management and leadership positions and this conference is an opportunity to look at solutions towards maximising their contributions at work.'

She said that there are less than ten per cent women managers and roughly 11 per cent women entrepreneurs in Oman. 'However the numbers have gone up significantly.'

The meeting was attended by business and corporate leaders and representatives from organisations in MENA to discuss about women's contributions in the world's economy and other global trends. A regional follow-up report on ILO's global 2015 report on Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum was also released on the occasion. The conference was held under the patronage of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to the ILO report 'The top-ranking countries in the region (Palestinian territories and Tunisia) in terms of women holding management and leadership roles recorded a 15 per cent share comprising legislators senior officials and managers compared to an average of more than 30 per cent for countries in other regions where more data is available.' Further up the leadership ladder women executives accounted for 23 per cent in Morocco 17 per cent in UAE 16 per cent in Egypt and seven per cent in Qatar.

The MENA region reported a share of 13 per cent as women CEOs out of the total compared to 21 per cent globally. The meeting further discussed the challenges and opportunities for women as business owners and managers.

A study in GCC countries has found that women considered balancing work and family life as the single most important obstacle to their career aspirations. Cultural stereotyping and inadequate self perception hampered their career advancement. Gender legislation and limited access to finance and networking can act as disincentives for women to enter or exit the labour market and pursue careers.

'Women's advancement in management is challenging as multiple obstacles block their access to top leadership positions in organisations' said Shauna Olney chief of the Gender Equality and Diversity Branch ILO.

Despite their low numbers women's representation in chambers of commerce is increasing. Many chambers have set up women's business committees in GCC Egypt Iraq Syria Jordan Palestinian territories and Yemen. Their aim is to support women entrepreneurs and respond to their needs.

'Companies can play a major role in promoting women's participation in the labour force by focusing on the gains as their participation would further the cause of social and economic development' said Eng Redha bin Juma al Saleh vice chairman for administration and financial affairs at OCCI.