Economic Dimensions of Gender Inequality: A Global Perspective

This contributed volume explores the status of women in the economies of countries at various developmental stages. Issues covered include, first, evidence of economic and social inequality throughout the world. Second, gender inequality in many societies can be explained by inadequate investment in human capital. Third, by overlooking women’s nonmarket output, countries generally overlook women’s economic contributions to a nation. Finally, with economic progress women become healthier as well as better educated and trained. Part I addresses the interaction of economic development and gender inequality, while Part II discusses women in France, Mexico, Nigeria, and Turkey. Part III considers some special concerns facing women.

Part I addresses the interaction of economic development and gender inequality. Chapters explore gender inequality in newly industrialized countries, the effects of economic development on employment status in less developed countries in the Western Hemisphere, and the economic development and status of women in South Korea. Part II discusses the economic status of women in France, Mexico, and Nigeria. This section also presents models used to estimate labor force participation and earnings of men and women in Turkey. Part III covers special concerns facing women in several countries, including health issues, the status of women during the economic transition in Poland, the gap between actual and official labor force participation of women in Pakistan, and the impact of social technology on the economic status of women in India.