The world economy, development, and women

Abstract

Women are important participants in the world economy. They represent more than 40% of the world's labor force and are now being drawn into the global economy in large numbers. It is particularly women from developing countries who are increasingly being targeted by the global economy. These include the young women of the electronic industries in South East Asia, the miracle makers of the newly industrialized economies (NIEs) of East Asia, the artefact makers of indigenous groups, the women of the maquiladoras of Mexico, and the workers of the export processing zones of the world where 75% of labor is composed of women. The history of the world economy reveals the crucial role played by Third World women in various stages of its development. This essay explores the notion of development in the world economy and its effects on the status of women in such an economy.