Women’s Empowerment Through Higher Education as a Key Factor in Sustainable Development

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive framework that elucidates the pivotal role of higher education in empowering women, particularly in the Arab context, and its subsequent contribution to sustainable development. The framework is built on four dimensions: economic productivity, health and well-being, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. Each dimension is underpinned by their respective theoretical perspectives: feminist theory, social capital theory, and the capability approach. Through a meticulous review of existing literature, we illustrate the transformative potential of women’s empowerment through higher education in promoting sustainable development. We argue that understanding and applying this framework can inform more effective policies and practices that are specifically tailored to the Arab context, thus contributing to the broader global agenda of sustainable development.
Keywords: women's empowerment, higher education, sustainable development, gender equality, poverty reduction, health and well-being, environmental sustainability
The significance of higher education as a catalyst for women’s empowerment has gained global recognition. The Arab region, characterized by its unique sociocultural nuances and economic conditions, presents a context in which the empowering influence of higher education on women plays a critical role in fostering sustainable development (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2017).