The 591-page study released by Freedom House on Wednesday, supported through grants by the U.N. Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), contends that while women in the region suffer from greater inequality than women elsewhere, they now enjoy greater economic opportunities, access to education, and increased participation in the political process than in years before.
"There are more women entrepreneurs, more women doctors, more women PhDs, and more women in universities, than ever before," said Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House. "However, substantial roadblocks remain for women pursuing careers. These findings remind us of the complexities of women's status in the Middle East."

Expressing his pride in enfranchisement of the Turkish women before many others in the world, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that women have undertaken very important tasks in development of Turkey since the proclamation of the Republic. Prime Minister Erdogan also said as follows: “A world where women are oppressed is unlivable. A world where they are ignored is deprived of beauty. A world where they are isolated goes without compassion and affection. A world where they are regarded cheap labor is unfair. So I am saying that politics, democracy or administration without women involved is injustice, inequity and imperfection for all the society.”