John C. Anyanwu|Darline Augustine
Gender Equality in Employment in Africa: Empirical Analysis and Policy Implications
Rochester Institute of Technology|Rochester Institute of Technology
abstract gender equality employment currently one greatest development challenges facing countries globally including africa 2011 male employmenttopopulation ratio globally estimated 727 per cent compared female employmenttopopulation ratio 479 per cent africa whole male employmenttopopulation ratio estimated 692 per cent compared female employmenttopopulation ratio 392 per cent addition analysing characteristics gender equality employment africa paper empirically studies key drivers gender equality employment proxied ratio female employment rate male employment rate age group 1564 period 1991 2009 using crosssectional data results suggest allafrica subsaharan african samples increased democracy quadratic form higher gross domestic investment primary education higher urban share population increase gender equality employment higher level real gdp per capita higher foreign direct investment sex population ratio net oilexporting country tend lower however north africa different apart negative highly significant north african dummy overall results north african specific sample result indicates quadratic element real gdp per capita higher gross domestic investment higher urban share population secondary education oilexporting country increase gender equality employment higher levels real gdp per capita primary education sex population ratio tend lower gender equality employment subregion policy implications lessons results discussed policies directed making african labor market inclusive hence enhancing womens employment purpose greater economic empowerment household welfare poverty reduction particular