Stalled Progress: Recent Research on Why Labor Markets Are Failing Women
by: James Heintz
October 01, 2018 | Research Report
This research report was funded and supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre.
Abstract
Recent progress in narrowing gender gaps in education, health, and political representation is not matched by similar improvements in labor market outcomes for women, or more broadly, women’s economic empowerment. This paper draws on findings generated through the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program to explore this paradox. It addresses the complex links between factors that shape women’s labor market participation and their economic empowerment. It reviews and synthesizes GrOW research findings to shed light on why development gains have yet to translate into more and better employment for women in some regions, and why employment gains seen in others have failed to empower women.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Heintz is the Andrew Glyn Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has writtenon a widerange of economic policy issues and collaborated on projects with numerous United Nations agencies,including the International Labour Organization, UN Women and others. His current work focuses on employment policy and poverty outcomes; economic policy choices and human rights; informal and atypical employment;macroeconomic policies for sub-Saharan Africa; and the links between economic policies and distributive outcomes, including race and gender dimensions.
HOW LABOR MARKETS ARE FAILING WOMEN
Following an examination of key factors that constrain women’s labor market participation, the paper examines in more detail GrOW fndings on four areas that affect the quantity and quality of paid work that women can access, and the choices they make:
labor market segregation; household formation and unpaid care work; gender roles and norms; and gender-based violence.
https://www.peri.umass.edu/publication/item/1106-stalled-progress-resent-research-on-why-labor-markets-are-failing-women
