Inequality and the Economic Participation of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Empirical Investigation

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 11(2), pp. 193-206 (2020).

20 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2019 Last revised: 15 Jun 2020

See all articles by Simplice Asongu

Simplice Asongu

African Governance and Development Institute

Nicholas Odhiambo

University of South Africa (UNISA) - Department of Economics

Date Written: January 24, 2019

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of inequality on female employment in 42 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2004-2014. Three inequality indicators are used, namely, the: Gini coefficient, Atkinson index and Palma ratio. Two indicators of gender inclusion are also employed, namely: female employment and female unemployment rates. The empirical analysis is based on the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM).The following main findings are established. First, inequality increases female unemployment in regressions based on the Palma ratio. Second, from the robustness checks, inequality reduces female employment within the frameworks of the Gini coefficient and Palma ratio.

Keywords: Africa; Gender; Inclusive development

JEL Classification: G20; I10; I32; O40; O55

Suggested Citation

Asongu, Simplice and Odhiambo, Nicholas, Inequality and the Economic Participation of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Empirical Investigation (January 24, 2019). African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 11(2), pp. 193-206 (2020)., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3393876 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3393876

Simplice Asongu (Contact Author)

African Governance and Development Institute ( email )

P.O. Box 8413
Yaoundé, 8413
Cameroon

Nicholas Odhiambo

University of South Africa (UNISA) - Department of Economics ( email )

PO Box 392
Pretoria, 0003
South Africa

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