IS SUB-SAHARA AFRICA CLOSING THE GENDER INEQUALITY GAPS? A PRINCIPAL COMPONENT-CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Abstract

Gender inequality in the labor market has long been a source of concern in the global human rights and development agenda, it’s not just a necessary human right but it’s a precondition for economic development. Despite the realization of some MDGs, SDGs, and Agenda 2030 goals, women in SSA continue to be marginalized. Notably, SSA nations have eliminated 66.45 percent of gender disparities in general. The region, in specific, has achieved remarkable strides toward gender parity in education, reducing the gap by approximately 88 percent, 98 percent in health, and 71 percent in economic participation. However, there exist major gender differences in political empowerment, where only 21.8% of the gender gap has been closed. The study recommends that SSA countries should fully implement and live up to the requirements of the ILO and UN conventions and treaties on gender equality for economic prosperity.