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Showing all content in Womens Economic Empowerment
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Publication - Policy Brief
Gender, social change, and urbanisation in North India
In the coming years, India will seek to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend that will maximise the growth potential of its economy. However, this potential dividend will likely be squandered if half of the country’s population—namely women—face continued steep barriers to social and economic empowerment. This study examines how gender, urbanisation, and...
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Blog post
Women and work: How much does measurement matter?
Female labour force participation in India has been on the decline – dropping from an already low 29% in 2004-05 to 17% in 2017-18. However, the extent of women’s economic participation depends on how it is measured, and who is doing the measuring. In this context, this article uses survey data from four north Indian urban clusters, to demonstrate the role of instrument...
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Blog post
Leaders and citizens: Women’s political participation in India
Women’s political participation has emerged as a key element of the discourse around the upcoming state elections in India. In this post, Nalini Gulati and Ella Spencer explore the evidence on various aspects of women’s political engagement in the country – representation in government, women as political leaders, and women as active citizens. According to the WEF...
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Blog post
Building back better: Fostering gender equality in Bangladeshi readymade garment industry
Post-COVID-19 recovery in one of Bangladesh’s largest industries could lead to increased inclusivity thanks to external market pressures. Editor's note: This blog is part of our International Women's Day campaign and contains findings from this IGC project. In Bangladesh, inclusive and resilient employment generation has received considerable policy focus as a...
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Blog post
Women's employment during the pandemic in Ghana: A tale of vulnerability and resilience
Women have traditionally been more vulnerable in the labour market, more underrepresented and the nature of their employment less secure. While the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it hit women's employment the hardest, they were also the more resilient and rebounded much faster than men. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s...
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Blog post
Barriers faced by women in labour market participation: Evidence from Pakistan
Data from a job-matching service in Pakistan reveals differences in how men and women search for jobs, and lends insight into the barriers women face in labour market participation. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s Day campaign and is based on this IGC project. At 22%, Pakistan has one of the lowest female labour force participation...
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Blog post
The pandemic’s gendered impact on livelihoods and wellbeing: Evidence from India
A survey of over 700 households from India’s National Capital Region finds that women report bearing a greater burden of pandemic-induced mental stress relative to men, with potentially lasting effects on their well-being and productivity. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s Day campaign and is based on this IGC project. In the...
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Blog post
Matter of mobility: Barriers to women’s work and education, and the dangers at home
As countries across the world implemented lockdowns to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, both women and men have been largely confined to their homes but with differential impacts. In this post, Nikita Sharma discusses the pre-pandemic restrictions on the mobility of women in India – on account of social norms and safety concerns – as well as the dangers they face at...
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Blog post
Has COVID-19 exacerbated gender inequalities in Pakistan?
Women in the developing world face an array of vulnerabilities and are at a relative disadvantage when compared to men. In Pakistan for example, they are less likely to receive vital information on health safety, have lower levels of education, and are less likely to own a mobile phone or have internet access. In the context of a pandemic like COVID-19, these disparities...
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Blog post
How is COVID-19 affecting gender inequality in low-income countries? Insights from Sierra Leone
Gender disparities in social and economic outcomes, already larger in the developing world than in the rich countries, have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Policy action is vital to address the compounding of existing inequalities and to protect the most vulnerable women. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s Day series. COVID-19 has...