GENDER INEQUALITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Abstract

Economic growth had been largely the target of international organisations and governments worldwide. There was often the tacit belief that economic growth would lead to the delivery of other components of development such as gender equality, reduced poverty and a cleaner environment. Using composite indices to reflect level of gender inequality in endowment and achievement, this academic exercise looks at the issue of the links between economic growth and gender equality within a cross-country context. Regression analysis is conducted to determine significant factors affecting gender equality. Results point to the conclusion that higher GDP per capita can lead to a lowering of disparity between men and women in educational endowment. However, increased GDP per capita is not associated with reduced gender disparity in achievements (representation in the legislature and selected occupations). Instead, it was found that reduced educational disparity and relatively higher levels of human freedom had a significant effect in lowering achievement disparity. Conscious efforts should, therefore, be made to promote women's education and empowerment through greater representation of women in the political institutions.