Women Employment in terms of Gender Inequality across the Provinces of Turkey

Fatih Celebioglu

doi:10.17015/ejbe.2017.019.04

Abstract

Inequalities are very important and multi-dimensional problem for all countries in the world. Particularly, the problem is challenging for developing countries due to the presence of not equal opportunities in economic life. This study aims to examine relations between women employment and socio-economic inequalities by using spatial data and techniques across the regions of Turkey. We use women employment’s share in total employment of provinces in 2014 as an indicator of women employment as long as the following variables used as independent are Gender Equality Index, Socio-Economic Development Index, gender based wage gap and household size. To test spatial dimensions of the variables, firstly we perform an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis on all variables for provinces of Turkey. Secondly, we explain spatial econometrics dimensions of women employment in Turkey. The results indicate that spatial regression is statistically significant and have high level of coefficient of determination in terms of spatial lag and error models. The study results indicate the significant relations among independent variables and women employment. Overall, our results show new dimensions of spatial distribution of women employment in Turkey.

Highlights

There are many kinds of inequality in the world and each one of them is undesirable for societies
As indicated in the Equity and Development Report (2006), it occurs as a result of different set of economic, social, cultural, and political inequalities that reinforce each other
In this paper we mainly focus on socio-economic inequalities that effect women employment level across the provinces of Turkey

Summary

Introduction

There are many kinds of inequality in the world and each one of them is undesirable for societies. As indicated in the Equity and Development Report (2006), it occurs as a result of different set of economic, social, cultural, and political inequalities that reinforce each other. These inequalities cause women to have less access to property rights, wealth, and education—and limit their access to labor markets and to spheres of activity outside the home. In World Bank Report 2012, it is briefly explained how gender equality can enhance economic efficiency and make contribution on achievement of key development outcomes in three ways. Enhancing the playing field of women in social and political life to lead over time to more representative, and more inclusive, institutions and policy choices and to a better development path (World Bank, 2012:3)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion