Role of Women in Inclusive Growth and Sustainability: An Indicative Study

Huma Baqai,Sabiha Mehreen

doi:10.20547/jms.2014.2007201

Abstract

The economic face of gender inequality is not new; it existed in extreme forms and manifestations in the past also. Over the years, gender inequality has been translated in several forms, which include invisibility, glass ceiling, pink ceiling, wage gap, hindrances in career growth and access to capacity building. The developed world is also struggling to address issues of gender inequality and sustainable economic growth. Countries that have overcome this, are on high growth trajectories. Pakistan poses a dismal picture, low female labor force and economic participation remains a major contributor to Pakistan's low GDP. The issue of economic gender parity, if addressed, can therefore become a catalyst for Pakistan's future growth target. The acknowledgment of women's contribution to the society is undervalued. In addition, the proportion of women in informal sector is higher than in formal sector of economy. Thus, women are not showcased in inclusive growth and sustainability paradigms. Marriages, societal constraints, mobility issues, security situations, lack of encouragement of entrepreneurial start-ups, insufficient exposure to decision making roles and poor awareness about career growth are some of the factors that impede women's contribution to inclusive growth. The consensus is to increase women's visibility, participation and access, create equal opportunities and nurture a healthy work environment. This research attempts to contribute to the intellectual discourse through an indicative study in an urban setting, an indicative survey and interviews were conducted to ascertain the current mindset and status of women in workforce and their contribution to economic growth and sustainability. The sample size is 100+ females who have completed higher education degree in the last ten years. The hypothesis is backed by the Feminist Economic theory which demands wage and role equality in economic policy making and also questions division of labor at homes and in societies.

Highlights

Most parts of the world have acknowledged women’s role in work fields
The World Bank Group (2014) state that Female labor force participation rate in Pakistan remained at 24 percent in 2012, in comparison with 32 percent for South Asia and 69 percent in low-income countries
In countries like Pakistan, religious rituals and social norms play a critical role in gender inequality and cause hindrances in women’s economic empowerment

Summary

Introduction

Most parts of the world have acknowledged women’s role in work fields. The developed and industrialized countries, including European, East Asian and Latin American economies experienced feminization since 1950s. Mobility Even among women with a high level of education, labor force participation is low only about 25 percent of Pakistani women who have a university degree work outside the home. The program rationale was promoting gender equality by empowering women to compete in major areas of markets, such as labor, agriculture, finance and the private sector (World Bank Group, 2012). The report acknowledges Pakistan’s significant efforts and progress in promoting gender equality It states that women’s participation in workforce has increased by about 10 percent since 1990s. The World Bank Group (2014) state that Female labor force participation rate in Pakistan remained at 24 percent in 2012, in comparison with 32 percent for South Asia and 69 percent in low-income countries. The laws in Pakistan restrict gender discrimination, gender discrimination in employment, secure working environment and maternity benefits for working women

Literature Review

Research Methodology

Findings

Analysis and Conclusion