Only Development or Gender Norm? Explaining Gender Inequality in Emerging Market Economies

Abstract

Emerging Economies (EEs) are characterized by sustained growth performance, but they suffer from inequality as well, especially the Gender Inequality. Literature points out a number of gender norms which play a significant role in aggravating the gender disparity. The chapter chooses a panel of 25 EEs for the period of 2007–2020 to investigate how gender norms can affect the female labor force participation (FLFP) and development relationship. Results suggest that EEs are in a stage of development where even if countries are growing at a reasonable rate, FLFP is falling. Further investigation reveals that skewed sex ratio can dampen the impact of development, whereas secondary school enrollment and legislation to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace may foster the effect of development. Thus, policies to encourage parents to invest more on the girl child and providing legal support to women at the workplace can be effective policies to reduce gender inequality.

Citation

Chatterjee, A. (2023), "Only Development or Gender Norm? Explaining Gender Inequality in Emerging Market Economies", Chakraborty, C. and Pal, D. (Ed.) Gender Inequality and its Implications on Education and Health, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 141-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-180-620231013