2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

This systematized review examines the experiences of Middle Eastern women in engineering. Specifically, we sought to understand what barriers Middle Eastern women experience pursuing engineering. Despite global initiatives to promote gender equity in education and the workforce, significant disparities persist in male-dominated fields like engineering, where women are significantly underrepresented in both academic programs and professional roles. This underrepresentation is particularly pronounced in Middle Eastern countries, where specific cultural, social, and institutional factors create barriers for women who wish to pursue engineering. These factors include cultural norms, societal expectations, gender discrimination, and lack of role models and support systems for Middle Eastern women in engineering. To identify the scope of issues impacting Middle Eastern women, we conducted a systematized review of their experiences in engineering. We included peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, journal papers and reports published between 2000 and 2024 that were indexed in the database Education Source. Aside from the above criteria, articles were expected to include Middle Eastern women and expected to discuss the gender gap. A total of n=124 articles were returned amongst our initial search. After removal of articles that did not fit our search criteria via abstract- and full-text review, we reviewed a final n=33 articles.
Our findings reveal that gender discrimination, cultural and social restrictions, and lack of access to educational resources and job opportunities are major barriers for women in engineering. Although, the lack of female role models and mentors in engineering fields exacerbates the gender gap. Despite these challenges, several strategies have shown promise in addressing these issues, including applying policies to promote equal opportunities, increasing awareness of the gender gap, and increasing Middle Eastern women’s motivation to participate in engineering. This review highlights the potential for change and improvement through targeted interventions and policies to reduce the gender gap in engineering education in Middle Eastern countries. By addressing the root causes of gender disparities and promoting gender equality, it is possible to enhance diversity and inclusivity in engineering, benefiting both the educational and professional landscapes in these regions.