Response of Economic Diversification To Gender Inequality: Evidence From Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigates the imperatives of gender equality in expanding the economic base of Nigeria, a country that has long remained a mono-product economy dependent on oil revenue. The purpose of this study is to explore how gender inequality affects economic diversification and to suggest policy recommendations to enhance gender equality and economic growth. The methodology employed includes the Engel-Granger and Error Correction Model within an endogenous growth framework. Data were sourced from relevant secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles, and institutional reports. Findings from the study indicate that existing gender inequality negatively impacts Nigeria's economic diversification by reducing the potential pool of human capital and promoting opportunity gaps. Specifically, the study reveals that increased female self-employment, a higher ratio of female to male labour force participation, and a reduction in female vulnerability in employment are essential for policy formulation. The conclusion emphasizes the necessity for sustained efforts to eliminate patriarchal tendencies and enhance social protection mechanisms to reduce the vulnerabilities faced by women. These measures are crucial for improving gender equality, which in turn can significantly contribute to economic diversification and growth in Nigeria.
Full text article
References
Aina, O. I. (2012). Two halves make a whole: Gender at the crossroads of the Nigerian development agenda. Retrieved from http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3583
Agénor, P. R., & Canuto, O. (2015). Gender equality and economic growth in Brazil: A long-run analysis. Journal of Macroeconomics, 43, 155-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmacro.2014.10.004
Barro, R. J., & Lee, J. W. (2013). A new data set of educational attainment in the world, 1950-2010. Journal of Development Economics, 104, 184-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2012.10.001
Bösrup, E. (1970). Women's Role in Economic Development. Nueva York, St.
Braunstein, E. (2011). Gender equality and economic growth. Fe Dergi, 3, 54-67. https://doi.org/10.1501/Fe0001_0000000055
Busse, M., & Spielmann, C. (2006). Gender inequality and trade. Review of International Economics, 14(3), 362-379. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9396.2006.00589.x
Cavalcanti, T., & Tavares, J. (2016). The output cost of gender discrimination: A model?based macroeconomics estimate. The Economic Journal, 126(590), 109-134. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecoj.12303
Cuberes, D., & Teignier, M. (2012). Gender gaps in the labor market and aggregate productivity. Working paper. Department of Economics, University of Sheffield. ISSN 1749-8368
Cuberes, D., & Teignier, M. (2013). Gender gaps in the labor market and aggregate productivity. Unpublished manuscript. Department of Economics, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Cuberes, D., & Teignier, M. (2016). Aggregate effects of gender gaps in the labor market: A quantitative estimate. Journal of Human Capital, 10(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1086/683847
Cuddington, J. T., Ludema, R., & Jayasuriya, S. A. (2002). Prebisch-Singer redux (No. 1506-2016-130803).
Dimnwobi, S. K., Nwokoye, E. S., Ekesiobi, C. S., & Igbanugo, C. I. (2017). Transportation infrastructure and diversification of Nigeria's economy: Implications for the developmental state. Nigerian Journal of Economics and Social Studies, 57(3), 309-331.
Economy Watch (2010-2016). Retrieved from http://www.economywatch.com/economic-statistics/Nigeria/GDP-Current-Prices-National-Currency/. Accessed on 13/08/2018.
Esteve-Volart, B. (2004). Gender discrimination and growth: Theory and evidence from India. Vol. 42, 1-68.
Galor, O., & Weil, D. N. (1996). The gender gap, fertility and growth. American Economic Review, 85(3), 374-387.
Goldin, C. (1992). Understanding the gender gap: An economic history of American women. OUP Catalogue.
International Monetary Fund. (2016). Time for a policy reset. Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC.
International Planned Parenthood Federation. (2017). Gender equality strategy and implementation plan. Retrieved from www.ippf.org/resources/ippf-2017-gender-equality. Accessed 1st July. 2018.
Kazandjian, R., Kolovich, L., Kochhar, K., & Newiak, M. (2019). Gender equality and economic diversification. Social Sciences, 8(4), 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8040118
Kim, J., Lee, J. W., & Shin, K. (2016). A model of gender inequality and economic growth. Asian Development Bank Economics Working Paper Series (475). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2737844
Metu, A., & Nwokoye, E. (2015). Investigating impediments to accessing finance for female micro entrepreneurs in Awka, Nigeria. International Journal of Banking, Finance, Management & Development Studies, 1(15), 257-274.
Prebisch, R., & Unies, N. (1950). The economic development of Latin America and its principal problems. NY.
Raffer, K., & Singer, H. W. (2002). The economic North-South divide: Six decades of unequal development. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781843761457
Singer, H. W. (1975). The distribution of gains between investing and borrowing countries. In The Strategy of International Development (pp. 43-57). Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-04228-9_3
Teignier, M., & Cuberes, D. (2014). Aggregate costs of gender gaps in the labor market: A quantitative estimate. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2405006
Authors
Copyright (c) 2019 Nkechinyere Uwajumogu, Ebele Nwokoye, Innocent Ogbonna, Mgbodichimma Okoro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright / Open Access Policy
This journal provides immediate and free open access to all its content and is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This means readers are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author, as long as proper attribution is given. This policy is consistent with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) definition of open access.