Naila Kabeer’s article ‘Women’s
Economic Empowerment Offers a Win-Win Scenario’ (2012) in the Guardian’s
Poverty Matters blog, reflects on the link between gender equality and economic
growth. Kabeer states that gender equality and economic growth are not reciprocal.
Whereas greater gender equality in education and employment has a positive
contribution to economic growth, economic growth has a less consistent and
sometimes even negative result on gender equality.
Kabeer details how the
relationship between gender equality and economic development follows at least
two paths. Firstly, by educating women and allowing them to gain higher levels
of education as this expands the talent pool, resulting in improved human
potential within a market. The second path develops economic prosperity for the
country through women’s positive effect on the next generation of workers. When
women have more resources they are more likely to promote nutrition, health and
education of their children.
Kabeer is undoubtedly correct in illustrating the positive link between the promotion of gender equality in education and employment and economic development. Evidence suggests that increasing participation of females in education improves human development outcomes such as child survival, health and schooling. The impact of these outcomes are larger for society when women’s access to education is improved compared to only educating men. Various studies have shown that when women engage in the labour market it enhances a women’s domestic autonomy by giving them a source of income. Economic independence for women leads to a greater sense of self-sufficiency and improves their capacity to provide for their families and shape their own destiny (Mallika, 2012).
Economic
development on the other hand does not result in greater gender equality.
Kabeer shows how the forces that give rise to wealth do not equate to gender equality
by citing various examples. Saudi Arabic is among the wealthiest countries in
the world however, it only ranks 131 out of 135 countries in the World Economic
Forum’s 2011 Global Gender Gap Report. China and India too have good economic
growth rates, yet report high mortality among girls relative to boys. Men are
given priority within their society as a whole, in education, medical treatment
and the allocation of food within the family.
At the micro level development there is a strong correlation between woman’s economic productivity and gender outcomes; however, at a macro level finding a correlation between improved gender equality and economic developmenthas been more challenging (Morrison, Raju& Sinha, 2007).
At the micro level development there is a strong correlation between woman’s economic productivity and gender outcomes; however, at a macro level finding a correlation between improved gender equality and economic developmenthas been more challenging (Morrison, Raju& Sinha, 2007).
Kabeer hopes that women’s economic empowerment will transform the opportunities generated by economic growth into broader gender equality. Kabeer also states that affirmative action needs to be taken by states to address the constraints that firstly hold women back, and secondly prevent women and men sharing in the benefits provided by women’s increased prosperity.
Although what
Kabeer says is true, that governments need to ensure that laws and policies are
put in place to ensure women’s full participation so men and women share the
benefits of economic growth, it is important to acknowledge that economic development
does not necessarily stop discrimination towards women (Duflo, 2012). Governments
need to develop policies that address gender imbalances in economic development
and also ways of empowering women to ensure they are given rights, resources
and a voice.
An insightful book that discusses these issues in great
detail is ‘Half the Sky: How to Change the World’ by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl
Wudunn - A great read for the inspiration and hope it brings to the possibility
of releasing women from oppression, abuse and economic independence on others
http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_wudunn_our_century_s_greatest_injustice.html
Bibliography
Kabeer, Naila. 2012 ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment
Offers a Win-win Scenario’, The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/nov/06/women-economic-empowerment-win-scenario
Duflo, E. 2012 ‘Women Empowerment and Economic Development’,
Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 5, Iss. 4, Pg. 1051 – 1079
Mallika, M. G. 2012 ‘Labour Market Dynamic of Kerala: A
Gender Perspective’, International Journal of Research in Commerce, Economic
and Management, Vol. 2, Iss. 7, Pg. 95 – 100
Morrison, A. Raju. D & Sinha, N. 2007 ‘Gender Equality,
Poverty and Economic Growth’, Policy Research Working Paper, The World Bank,
Gender and Development Group
Very interesting blog, I think gender equality is affected quite strongly by cultural values and some cultures have modernised faster than others. It is difficult to say whether global organisations should intervene with this, because sometimes change has to come from within. You would hope that over time education will lead to greater acceptance of what we consider to be 'rights'. It sounds like development at lower levels, which most likely improves education does help with this.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting blog. It has the same ring to it as an online video which went semi-viral a few months back. By a group 'The Girl Effect"
ReplyDeleteThough Kabeer uses research data and stats to back up the theory, anecdotally throughout the whole world the same equation rings true. Empower the disempowered and there will be sociological and economic success. By and large, females are disempowered, ergo; empowering women will bring positive social and economic change.
I have seen research before that supports Kabeer’s point that women are more likely to spend their resources on their families’ health and education than men are. The World Bank has found that increasing women’s well-being correlates with better probability that their children will go to school and enjoy good health than if extra income had been provided to fathers. This demonstrates just how important efforts are to ensure women have a sense of financial literacy and independence, and of course income!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I actually thought about after reading this blog was how embarrassed I am to live in a peaceful and prosperous country like Australia and have a government that has only one women in Cabinet. It seems quite hypocritical to judge others on the global stage when our Parliament makes Afghanistan and Sierra Leone look progressive!
Hey Emmie,
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting blog. I think women are vulnerable in most developing countries. Empowering women is a certain way to promote the sustainable development of society.