[Africa] Gender job inequalities harming chances of an equal society

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) study has revealed that the commonly considered reasons for including women in Africa's labour force - poverty eradication and the need to work in subsistence agriculture - are not helping to reduce gender inequality in the continent, The Eastleigh Voice reports.

An October study published by the IMF stated that such motives are only exacerbating the differences in job quality between the genders.

It reportedly raised concerns that this could subsequently hurt prospects for ending gender inequality by 2030, a goal enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.

The Goal seeks to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination curtailing women's rights in private and public spheres.

According to the IMF, higher female labour force participation rates in African states are often driven by poverty and the need to work in subsistence agriculture.

"As a result, the quality of jobs differs significantly for men and women: Women are therefore more likely to be in informal employment than men," the study says.

"In Kenya, for instance, female labour force participation rates are high, but women often occupy precarious positions with limited job security and benefits."

Gender pay gaps are also often wide as a result of women working in lower quality jobs than their male counterparts, the study report says.

The IMF reportedly states that this could further negate progress countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made towards closing the gender equality gap over the last two decades.

Kenya has made particularly good progress in addressing gender issues; demonstrated by recent improvement in its global gender equality rankings.

Kenya moved up from position 77 to 75 worldwide on the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum, achieving a score of 0.712.

The index reportedly noted that, while no country has reached complete gender parity, 97 per cent of the economies assessed have closed over 60 per cent of their gender gaps, an increase from 85 per cent in 2006.

In Africa, Kenya ranked 13th and was 4th in East Africa, behind only Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Suggesting that while Kenya excels in certain areas, there is significant room for improvement.

The IMF study highlights further significant barriers that women commonly face in the labour market, which impact any prospect of an equal society.

These include discrimination and limited access to productive resources, such as land and credit.

"Indeed, while access to finance has generally increased in the region, sub-Saharan African women face limited access to formal financial institutions, which restricts their ability to save, invest and grow their businesses," the IMF said.

"Harmful practices and gender-based violence are also a concern. The incidence of child marriage remains significant in most countries in the region, increasing the risk of early pregnancy, constraining girls' school attendance and suppressing economic growth."

It reportedly added that gender-based violence remains prevalent and leads to substantial development losses. Where a one-percentage-point reduction in the share of women experiencing intimate partner violence exists, economic activity could be boosted by almost nine per cent.

The study showed that closing gender gaps in labour force participation in sub-Saharan African countries could boost GDP by up to 30 per cent. It suggested that closing gender gaps in opportunities, such as in education and health, would alleviate demographic pressures and support human capital development.

The report noted that higher levels of education among women are associated with lower rates of child marriage and adolescent fertility which can, in turn, help reduce dependency ratios.

"Falling dependency ratios in turn decrease the economic burden on the working-age population, creating a more favourable environment for economic growth."

The study reportedly stated that closing these gaps contributes to a more educated and healthy population overall, as women tend to prioritise household resources for children's education. In addition, it increases female labour force participation and boosts economic productivity.

Source: The Eastleigh Voice

(Quotes via original reporting)

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) study has revealed that the commonly considered reasons for including women in Africa's labour force - poverty eradication and the need to work in subsistence agriculture - are not helping to reduce gender inequality in the continent, The Eastleigh Voice reports.

An October study published by the IMF stated that such motives are only exacerbating the differences in job quality between the genders.

It reportedly raised concerns that this could subsequently hurt prospects for ending gender inequality by 2030, a goal enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.

The Goal seeks to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination curtailing women's rights in private and public spheres.

According to the IMF, higher female labour force participation rates in African states are often driven by poverty and the need to work in subsistence agriculture.

"As a result, the quality of jobs differs significantly for men and women: Women are therefore more likely to be in informal employment than men," the study says.

"In Kenya, for instance, female labour force participation rates are high, but women often occupy precarious positions with limited job security and benefits."

Gender pay gaps are also often wide as a result of women working in lower quality jobs than their male counterparts, the study report says.

The IMF reportedly states that this could further negate progress countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made towards closing the gender equality gap over the last two decades.

Kenya has made particularly good progress in addressing gender issues; demonstrated by recent improvement in its global gender equality rankings.

Kenya moved up from position 77 to 75 worldwide on the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum, achieving a score of 0.712.

The index reportedly noted that, while no country has reached complete gender parity, 97 per cent of the economies assessed have closed over 60 per cent of their gender gaps, an increase from 85 per cent in 2006.

In Africa, Kenya ranked 13th and was 4th in East Africa, behind only Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Suggesting that while Kenya excels in certain areas, there is significant room for improvement.

The IMF study highlights further significant barriers that women commonly face in the labour market, which impact any prospect of an equal society.

These include discrimination and limited access to productive resources, such as land and credit.

"Indeed, while access to finance has generally increased in the region, sub-Saharan African women face limited access to formal financial institutions, which restricts their ability to save, invest and grow their businesses," the IMF said.

"Harmful practices and gender-based violence are also a concern. The incidence of child marriage remains significant in most countries in the region, increasing the risk of early pregnancy, constraining girls' school attendance and suppressing economic growth."

It reportedly added that gender-based violence remains prevalent and leads to substantial development losses. Where a one-percentage-point reduction in the share of women experiencing intimate partner violence exists, economic activity could be boosted by almost nine per cent.

The study showed that closing gender gaps in labour force participation in sub-Saharan African countries could boost GDP by up to 30 per cent. It suggested that closing gender gaps in opportunities, such as in education and health, would alleviate demographic pressures and support human capital development.

The report noted that higher levels of education among women are associated with lower rates of child marriage and adolescent fertility which can, in turn, help reduce dependency ratios.

"Falling dependency ratios in turn decrease the economic burden on the working-age population, creating a more favourable environment for economic growth."

The study reportedly stated that closing these gaps contributes to a more educated and healthy population overall, as women tend to prioritise household resources for children's education. In addition, it increases female labour force participation and boosts economic productivity.

Source: The Eastleigh Voice

(Quotes via original reporting)