Knowledge-based Economy as an Opportunity to Closing the Gender Gap

In the last three decades, along with the development of knowledge-based economy, the development of businesses related to this field has also taken a growing trend and the concept of entrepreneurship has found an important role in the growing economy. Knowledge-based economics as an emerging field and with the focus on information technology and communication technology grew significantly. According to the International Telecommunication Union (2016), ICT-related businesses will account for 95% of all global companies, as well as one-third of all global formal-related businesses in the next decade. The purpose of the present study is to explore the contribution of women in the Persian Gulf region in the field of science, technology and knowledge-based economy using the documentary research method. The research results revealed that in the said field, there is an extensive opportunity to reduce the economic gender gap. Comparing the trend of womenchr('39')s participation in this field shows that the progress of women has been smooth in some countries while in some others, more development is needed. Suggestions have been made for the development of womenchr('39')s technical and professional knowledge, balancing between work and life, and implementing supportive policies.