Environmental degradation and female economic inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa: Effort towards Sustainable Development Goal 5

Abstract

ABSTRACT The paper examines how environmental degradation affects female economic inclusion. Using Generalised Least Squares (GLS) and Instrumental Variable Approach in Two-Stage Least Squares (IV-2SLS), a panel of 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa was analysed for the period 1990–2013. We observe that CO2 emission (metric per capita), CO2 emissions from electricity and heat, CO2 emissions from liquid and fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity (emission from solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and coal) appear to negatively affect female economic inclusion. This implies that environmental deterioration disproportionally affects the labour force participation of women. The paper recommends that policies that are designed to mitigate environmental pollution should also incorporate measures to address gender exclusion. This effort will not only reduce environmental vulnerability but will also create a window for women empowerment in vulnerable situations. This focus holds the potential for the attainment of SDG 5 in SSA.