The Women Employment in Eritrea - Reflections from Pre and Post-Independence Period

The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 357-370, April-June 2007

26 Pages Posted: 27 Oct 2008 Last revised: 7 May 2015

See all articles by Ravinder Rena

Ravinder Rena

Papua New Guinea University of Technology; North-West University; Namibia University of Science and Technology; University of the Western Cape

Date Written: June 15, 2007

Abstract

The role of Eritrean women in thirty years war of independence brought major changes and reflects in the present demography and economy of Eritrea in the development arena. Their participation in the economy contributes to local production and income by filling the gaps left by men who died in the war or who have left the country and settled in different parts of the world. Despite the growing importance of women for the formal economy, jobs and self-employment opportunities available to women are still clustered in low-productivity and/or low-status industries. To cope with the growing number of female-headed households, Eritrea needs to increase the earning potential of women. This paper indicates that providing women with education at secondary or tertiary level is one way to go. This paper deals with, why Eritrean women are entering into the labour markets: one, family ties and control of women is weakened due to absent men and increasing divorce rates. The second, there is a shortage of male breadwinners. The third, growing education levels increase their earning potential.

Keywords: Eritrea, Women employment, Empowerment, Economic development, education

JEL Classification: B24, I31, J16, J31, J71, J83

Suggested Citation

Rena, Ravinder and Rena, Ravinder, The Women Employment in Eritrea - Reflections from Pre and Post-Independence Period (June 15, 2007). The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 357-370, April-June 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1290451

Ravinder Rena (Contact Author)

Papua New Guinea University of Technology ( email )

Private Mail Bag 411
Lae, Morobe 411
Papua New Guinea

HOME PAGE: http://www.unitech.ac.pg

North-West University ( email )

Hoffman Street
Potchefstroom, 2520
South Africa
2745 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.nwu.ac.za

Namibia University of Science and Technology ( email )

13 Storch Street
Private Bag 13388
Windhoek, Khomas 13388
South Africa
2745 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.nust.na

University of the Western Cape ( email )

Private Bag X 17
Economics, Faculty of Economic and Management Scie
Bellville, Western Cape 7535
South Africa
0027219593624 (Phone)
2745 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.uwc.ac.za

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