Female Labor Force Participation Research Articles

The Feminisation U, cultural norms, and the plough

The Feminisation U describes the tendency of female labour force participation (FLFP) to first decline and then rise in the process of economic development. While the Feminisation U is often presented as a ‘stylised fact’ of development, empirical support for it is mixed. Here, we show that cultural norms inherited from ancestral plough use exert a moderating influence on the shape of the Feminisation U. Specifically, we find a significantly U-shaped path of FLFP only in countries whose ancestors employed a plough-based agricultural technology. The shape of the U-curve becomes progressively more muted as the share of a country's ancestors that practiced plough agriculture decreases. In countries with little or no legacy of historical plough use, the time path of FLFP is effectively flat. This pattern of results is robust to correcting for dynamic panel bias, instrumenting for per-capita income, and controlling for other potential effect modifiers. Our findings are compatible with a nuanced reading of the main theoretical models proposed in the literature to explain the Feminisation U.

NREGA: An effective way to fight poverty

Public works programs, aimed at building a strong social safety net through redistribution of wealth and generation of meaningful employment, are becoming increasingly popular in developing countries. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), enacted in August 2005, is one such program in India. This paper assesses causal impacts (Intent-to Treat) of NREGA on public works participation, labor force participation, and real wages of casual workers by exploiting its phased implementation across Indian districts. Using nationally representative data from Indian National Sample Surveys (NSS) and Difference-in Difference framework, we find that there is a strong gender dimension to the impacts of NREGA: it has a positive impact on the labor force participation and this impact is mainly driven by a much sharper impact on female labor force participation. Similarly, NREGA has a significant positive impact on the wages of female casual workers-real wages of female casual workers increased 8% more in NREGA districts compared with the increase experienced in non-NREGA districts. However, the impact of NREGA on wages of casual male workers has only been marginal (about 1%). Using data from pre-NREGA period, we also perform falsification exercise to demonstrate that the main conclusions are not confounded by pre-existing differential trends between NREGA and non-NREGA districts.

Role of Religion and Culture on Female Labor Force Participation: A Panel Data Analysis of Selected Countries

Role of Religion and Culture on Female Labor Force Participation: A Panel Data Analysis of Selected Countries

Female Labour Force Participation Rates in Assam: Trends, Composition and Determinants

In India, since the 1970s, there is a declining trend in the female labour force participation. Given the fast economic growth, declining fertility rate and rising women’s educational enrolment in the past few decades, this decline is puzzling. Assam is not an exception to this trend of declining female labour force participation rate (LFPR). This study is an attempt to analyse the patterns and determinants of female LFPR in Assam during the period from 2004 to 2011. The analyses are based on National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) unit-level data of three rounds of employment and unemployment surveys. This article probes female LFPR across age cohorts, education, economic groups, social groups, status, etc. Probit regression models are used on the latest available data. An important result of the article is, status concerns measured by caste interacted with land possession impede the labour force participation of women.

The role of religion in female labor supply: evidence from two Muslim denominations

AbstractThis paper investigates the association between religion and female labor market outcomes using new micro-level data on two distinct Muslim denominations in Turkey: Sunni and Alevi Muslims. We find a positive and significant association between being an Alevi Muslim and female labor force participation and employment, whereas there are no significant differences in male labor market outcomes between the two denominations. We provide evidence that Alevi Muslims have more gender-equal views regarding the role of women in the labor market and consider themselves as more modern. Both Sunnis and Alevis consider themselves as believers in religion (Islam). However, Sunnis are more likely to abide by the rules of religion. We argue that differences in views on gender roles and self-identity regarding modernity between the two denominations drive the results on female labor market outcomes.

Time Use and Gender in Africa in Times of Structural Transformation

Many African countries are still in the early stages of structural transformation. Typically, as economies move through the structural transformation, activities once conducted within the household are outsourced to the market. This has particular implications for women’s time use. In this paper, we document that current patterns of female time use in home production in several African countries closely resemble historical time use patterns in the Untied States. We highlight two stylized facts about women’s time use in Africa. First, in North Africa, women spend very few hours in market work and female labor force participation overall is extremely low. Second, although extensive margin participation of women is high in sub-Saharan Africa, women tend to work in the market for only a few hours each week, with the rest of their work hours spent in home production. These two facts suggest two different types of constraints that could slow down the reallocation of female time from home to market as economies grow: social norms related to women’s market work, and a lack of infrastructure (e.g., household infrastructure and childcare facilities) to facilitate marketizing home production. We discuss recent empirical evidence related to each set of constraints and highlight new avenues for research.

The effect of gender equality on the carbon intensity of well-being: panel data analysis for the MENA economies 1995-2018

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the ecological efficiency through assessing the relation of the “carbon intensity of well-being” (CIWB) to gender equality, gross domestic product (GDP)/capita, the urban intensity of the population, the age structure of the population, foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP and manufacturing as a percentage of GDP.Design/methodology/approachCIWB equation is estimated for a panel of 18 MENA economies and Turkey over the period 1995–2018 using the two-way fixed effects Prais–Winsten regression with panel-corrected standard errors.FindingsThe elasticity coefficients obtained from the estimated models indicated mixed effects on CIWB. While the increase of female educational attainment, accompanied with an increase in the female labor force participation rate, reduce CIWB, the younger female population and the younger population, in general, increase CIWB. Furthermore, while increasing FDI inflows reduces CIWB, increasing the manufacturing share of GDP increases CIWB.Originality/valueThe pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals worldwide has moved the relevant literature on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to a new level, where using the CIWB method is increasingly used to reflect carbon dioxide emissions per capita unit of expected lifespan. The present paper’s contribution to the literature is two-fold: one is computing and estimating the CIWB to examine ecological efficiency for the middle east and north africa (MENA) economies and Turkey over the period of study; and two is integrating and validating the beneficial impacts of integrating the gender equality dimension in the CIWB–climate change literature.

Determination of Fertility Rate between Districts/Cities in Riau Province

This study aims to identify and determine the effect of purchasing power, female labor force participation rates (wLFPR), and contraception against fertility between regency/municipalities in Riau Province. The analytical tool used is panel data regression using the Random Effect Model. Based on the data processing results, the highest fertility was in Rokan Hilir Regency, and the lowest was Siak Regency. Econometric results show that purchasing power and contraceptives positively and significantly affect fertility. In contrast, the female labor force participation rate has a negative and significant impact on fertility in the regency/municipality of Riau Province. Keywords: Contraceptives; Female Labor; Fertility; Panel Data; Purchasing Power.

International family migration and the dual-earner model

AbstractWe analyze couples’ joint decisions about emigration and labor force participation using survey data on Danish emigrants, combined with full population administrative data. Couples are most likely to emigrate if the male partner or both partners hold a college degree and least likely to emigrate if neither of the partners is college educated. Probability that a dual-earner couple emigrates increases with the primary earner’s income. In most couples, both partners work before emigration, while after migrating outside the Nordic countries almost half of the women stay at home. Survey responses reveal that men mainly migrate for work reasons and women for family reasons. Our findings suggest that the dual-earner model may not be strongly ingrained among emigrating couples. Instead, female labor force participation abroad varies widely between different destinations.

The Changing Patterns and Determinants of Stay-at-Home Motherhood in Urban China, 1982 to 2015

This paper documents trends in and examines determinants of stay-at-home motherhood in urban China from 1982 to 2015. China once had the world’s leading female labor force participation rate. Since the economic reforms starting from the early 1980s, however, some mothers have been withdrawing from the labor force due to diminished state support, a rise in intensive parenting, and heightened work-family conflicts. Based on data from the 1982, 1990, and 2000 Chinese censuses, the 2005 mini-census, and the 2006–2015 Chinese General Social Survey, we find mothers’ non-employment increased for every educational group and grew at a much faster rate among mothers than it did among fathers, particularly those with small children. Moreover, the negative relationships between mothers’ education and non-employment, and between mothers’ family income and non-employment weakened overtime. This is possibly due to women with more established resources can better “afford” the single-earner arrangement and also more emphasize the importance of intensive parenting, than their less resourced counterparts. These findings signal the resurgence of a gendered division of labor in urban China.

Sustainable Development Goals and India’s Commitment to Gender Justice

Sustainable Development Goals are a set of seventeen interconnected objectives to achieve a sustainable future for all. They take a holistic and multidimensional approach to development to alter our planet by addressing humanity's many difficulties. It is an essential component of all aspects of inclusive and long-term growth. Women need to have equal rights and opportunities and live without fear of prejudice or violence. Goal five expressly mentions gender equality as one of the SDGs. Discriminatory laws must be changed and legislation enacted to advance equality proactively to achieve the goals. Gender-based violence is a top priority for governments all across the world. India is dedicated to promoting equality for all of its residents. The Indian Constitution's Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and State Policy Directive Principles express a strong commitment to gender equality. Also, India is the signatory of UN Conventions like CEDAW, where its pledge towards gender justice is evident. Furthermore, India has incorporated various domestic laws in pursuance of its responsibility towards Gender Justice. However, in India, Discrimination against women remains a profound issue despite reforms in various laws and different policies. Several concerns like female labor force participation, crimes against women, education among women, and discrimination are evident. This paper mainly throws light on the status of Gender Justice in India. It will help the stakeholders working on SDGs and Gender justice in policy development. It will highlight the gains and gaps that India has so far accomplished and encountered.

Export Manufacturing, Female Labor Force Participation, and Demographic Change: Evidence from Mexico

Export Manufacturing, Female Labor Force Participation, and Demographic Change: Evidence from Mexico

Structural Transformation and the Rise in Female Labor Force Participation Across the World

Structural Transformation and the Rise in Female Labor Force Participation Across the World

Does the gender of the head of the household affect the labour market outcomes for females? An empirical analysis for Pakistan based on Labour Force Survey (LFS 2017-2018)

Higher women’s labour force participation (LFP), is a significant contributing factor in achieving economic growth, poverty reduction, and female empowerment. Although women’s LFP increased from 14% in 2001-02, to 20% in 2017-18, Pakistan is still lagging behind in women’s labour market participation compared to countries on a similar development ladder. The presented study explored the contributing factors of low female LFP in Pakistan for male and female-headed households separately, using the micro data set from Pakistan Labour Force Survey 2017-18. The empirical evidence for the contributing factors of female LFP suggests that urban women are less likely to be engaged in work activities. Women with higher education, from extended families and those who received vocational training, will engage more in labour market activities. Regarding the heads of households, the results reveal that women from female-headed households supply their labour services more than those from male-headed households. The authors infer from their analysis that due to gender norms and patriarchy at the household level, most women from male-headed households are not part of the labour force.

Information and Social Norms: Experimental Evidence on the Labor Market Aspirations of Saudi Women

How important are social norms, information gaps and family constraints in explaining the low rates of female labor force participation (FLFP) in conservative societies? To answer this question, we conducted a field experiment embedded in a survey of female university students at a large public university in Saudi Arabia. We randomly provided one subset of individuals with information on the labor market and aspirations of their female peers (T1), while another subset was provided with this information along with a prime that made their parents more salient (T2). We find that expectations of working among those in the Control group are quite high, yet students underestimate the expected labor force attachment of their female peers. We show that social information matters: relative to the Control group, expectations about own labor force participation are significantly higher in the T1 group, which is driven primarily by receiving information about their peers’ aspirations. We show that T2, as intended, causes students to report a higher importance of parents’ approval of their choices. However, we do not find that the impact of information is counteracted by evoking parental expectations: impacts for the T2 group on labor market expectations are not smaller than those for T1 group. However, T2 does lead to higher expectations of working in Education and the Public sectors - sectors that are more socially acceptable for women, suggesting that parental expectations their daughters’ labor market aspirations but partly shape them.

Do Female Education and Labor Force Participation Contribute to Economic Growth in Afghanistan?

Do Female Education and Labor Force Participation Contribute to Economic Growth in Afghanistan?

A regional analysis of female labour force participation in Africa: application of seemingly unrelated regression

A regional analysis of female labour force participation in Africa: application of seemingly unrelated regression

Factors Affecting Female Labor Force Participation in the Middle East: An Empirical Evidence from Panel Data Approach

Factors Affecting Female Labor Force Participation in the Middle East: An Empirical Evidence from Panel Data Approach

The Effect of Paid Maternity Leave on Child Health in the Middle East and North Africa

Background: The paid maternity leave is one of the factors affecting the health status of children, but this maternity leave in the Middle East and North Africa is not only less than in developed countries but also the mortality rate of children under 5 years is higher in these countries. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the paid maternity leave on children's health in the Middle East and North Africa. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and applied study was conducted by Panel data regression method with cross-sectional dependence and Common Correlated Effect Mean Group (CCEMG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators for 2000 and 2019. The statistical population was 12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and annual time series data were extracted from World Bank databases. The study models, cross-sectional dependency tests, Pesaran unit root, Westerlund cointegration, and other required tests were estimated in Stata 16 software. Results: The average paid maternity leave for 12 countries in the Middle East and North African countries between 2000 and 2019 was 68.8 days, and in 2019, it was 78 days. The effect of maternity leave on infant mortality rate in the Augmented Mean Group and Common Correlated Effect Mean Group were -0.0018 and -0.0006, respectively, and, the effect on the under-5 mortality rate in the mentioned methods was -0.0023 and -0.0007, respectively. The coefficient of female labor force participation rate on infant mortality rate was -0.056 and the under-5 mortality rate was -0.049. Conclusion: Increasing maternity leave had a negative effect on infant and child mortality rates. Also, health expenditures and female labor force participation rates had a negative effect, and carbon dioxide production had a positive effect on infant mortality rates; therefore, policies to increase paid maternity leave for mothers, as well as policies to increase maternal employment, are proposed to increase fertility while increasing the health of infants.

GENDER EQUALITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF JURISPRUDENCE

Recently, in the 2021 Global Gender Gap report which identifies the gap between women and men across four sub-indices: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, Malaysia ranked 112 out of 156 countries. Therefore, recognising the significant role of women, Malaysia is committed in achieving gender equality and promoting the rights of women and girls. This paper deals with the socioeconomic status of Malaysian women. It provides an analysis of the views of jurists regarding gender equality and recent trends of the female labour force participation, the areas where the female labour force is concentrated at present, and gender differentials in many ways, and it makes recommendations to improve women’s status. The Paper focuses on the need to enhance more opportunities for Malaysian women as gender equality is not only a basic human right but is also critical in accelerating progress on sustainable development.