The Cost of Afro-Arab Social Exclusion in MENA

The event explored the challenges to social inclusion of Afro-Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to the widespread costs of discrimination. In every country, certain groups confront barriers that prevent them from fully participating in political, economic, and social life. In MENA, Afro-Arabs have been excluded from legal systems, land, and labor markets, and regularly face discriminatory attitudes and perceptions from the wider public.

This kind of social exclusion robs individuals of dignity, security, and the opportunity to lead a better life. Unless the root causes of structural exclusion and discrimination are addressed, countries across the region will not be able to achieve sustainable inclusive growth or rapid poverty reduction.