Examining Multidimensional Inequality in the Arab Region through the Capabilities Approach Presenting a pilot study in Lebanon with a focus on SDG 10 Shared Prosperity Dignified Life VISION ESCWA, an innovative catalyst for a stable, just and flourishing Arab region MISSION Committed to the 2030 Agenda, ESCWA’s passionate team produces innovative knowledge, fosters regional consensus and delivers transformational policy advice. Together, we work for a sustainable future for all. Distr. LIMITED E/ESCWA/SDD/2019/TP.7 23 December 2019 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Examining Multidimensional Inequality in the Arab Region through the Capabilities Approach Presenting a pilot study in Lebanon with a focus on SDG 10 United Nations Beirut, 2019 19-01329 © 2019 United Nations All rights reserved worldwide Photocopies and reproductions of excerpts are allowed with proper credits. All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), e-mail: [email protected]. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Links contained in this publication are provided for the convenience of the reader and are correct at the time of issue. The United Nations takes no responsibility for the continued accuracy of that information or for the content of any external website. References have, wherever possible, been verified. Mention of commercial names and products does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations. References to dollars ($) are to United States dollars, unless otherwise stated. Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. United Nations publication issued by ESCWA, United Nations House, Riad El Solh Square, P.O. Box: 11-8575, Beirut, Lebanon. Website: www.unescwa.org. Acknowledgements This technical paper was authored by Ms. Alexia Faus Onbargi from the Participation and Social Justice Section (SJS) of the Social Development Division (SDD) at ESCWA. It was prepared under the supervision of Ms. Rania Al-Jazairi, First Social Affairs Officer in the Participation and Social Justice Section of SDD, who provided guidance, critical review and substantive input. Ms. Faus Onbargi conducted all fieldwork with Ms. Alia Sabra, who offered key translations and provided beneficial suggestions during the initial editing phase. Finally, the study benefitted from the valuable feedback of Ms. Rouba Arja, First Social Affairs Officer at the ESCWA Center for Women; Mr. Oussama Safa, Chief of the Participation and Social Justice Section and Mr. Frederico Neto, Director of the SDD at ESCWA. ESCWA extends its gratitude to all the people that participated in this study and to the three organizations that facilitated such participation: the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), the Secular Club of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Amel Association International (NGO). iii CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iii Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................ vii Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... ix Chapter Objective and scope ..................................................................................................... 1 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 1 The sustainable development goals: the right way forward ........................................ 2 Social justice outlined .................................................................................................. 3 Enhancing SDG implementation ................................................................................. 3 Equality of outcome and equality of opportunity ........................................................ 6 Equality of autonomy .................................................................................................. 8 The nexus approach ..................................................................................................... 12 Literature review ......................................................................................................... 15 A step further towards the SDGS ................................................................................ 18 The central human capabilities .................................................................................... 19 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 22 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 23 People with disabilities ................................................................................................ 26 Educated youth ............................................................................................................ 31 Vulnerable women from syria, lebanon and iraq ......................................................... 35 Main conclusions ......................................................................................................... 41 Other major themes ..................................................................................................... 42 Group-specific recommendations for the lebanese government .................................. 44 General recommendations for all ESCWA member states .......................................... 45 v CONTENTS (continued) Page LIST OF TABLES 1. Fieldwork sample size ......................................................................................................... 23 2. Adoption of coping strategies by gender ............................................................................. 36 LIST OF FIGURES 1. Perceptions of control over life ........................................................................................... 9 2. Perceptions of self-expression ............................................................................................. 9 3. Freedom to express opinions ............................................................................................... 10 4. Freedom to express opinions in Egypt ................................................................................ 10 5. Freedom to join civil associations and organizations .......................................................... 10 6. Freedom to participate in peaceful protests and demonstrations ......................................... 10 7. Citizens must support the government’s decisions even if they disagree with them .......... 11 8. Husbands should have final say in all decisions concerning the family ............................. 11 9. Religious leaders (imams, preachers, priests) should not interfere in voters’ decisions in elections .......................................................................................................................... 12 10. The Nexus Approach and its Three Clusters Diagram ........................................................ 13 11. Gaps between capabilities and functionings in a community of persons with disabilities in Tuscany ........................................................................................................................... 23 12. Persons with disabilities’ gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in well-being ........................................................................................................................ 28 13. Persons with disabilities’ gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in equality ............................................................................................................................ 29 14. Educated young peoples’ gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in well-being ........................................................................................................................ 32 15. Educated young people’s gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in equality ............................................................................................................................ 33 16. Vulnerable women's gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in well-being ........................................................................................................................ 37 17. Vulnerable women's gaps between desired capabilities and achieved functionings in equality ............................................................................................................................ 38 vi Abbreviations