International Women's Day in Industry: "The Industry of Tomorrow Will Be Inclusive or Will Not Be Fully Realized"
Lassaad Ben Hassine, Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), opened the International Women's Day in Industry with a clear statement: "The industry of tomorrow will be inclusive or will not be fully realized." He emphasized that the industry remains a strategic pillar of modern economies, accounting for 22.2% of GDP in high-income countries in 2023, according to World Bank data.
Key Messages
Ben Hassine structured his intervention around three key messages:
- Performance: The inclusion of women is not only a matter of equity, but also an economic lever. Globally, women represent about 41% of the industrial workforce, yet they are concentrated in low-skilled jobs and underrepresented in strategic positions.
- Quality of Participation: The challenge is no longer just to integrate women into the industry, but to strengthen their positioning. Women represent over 40% of scientists and engineers in Europe, but only 22.4% in the manufacturing industry and around 35% in management.
- Conditions for Success: Progress is not automatic and relies on coherent ecosystems, including adapted public policies, relevant training systems, better access to financing, inclusive recruitment practices, and visible female role models. "Inclusion is not decreed, it is built," he summarized.
Tunisian Context
Applying this analysis to the Tunisian context, Ben Hassine highlighted the existence of real potential. According to data from the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), over 500 industrial enterprises are led by women, generating around 42,000 jobs. However, this presence remains concentrated in sectors such as textiles and agri-food.
New Phase of Cooperation
Finally, he announced the new phase of cooperation between Tunisia and UNIDO for the period 2026-2030, which includes several priorities, such as innovation, energy transition, circular economy, and skills development. This framework already includes around 15 projects in key sectors like Industry 4.0, agro-industry, and electric mobility.
