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The Effects of Gender Inequality in Pakistan


            The paper “Effect of Gender Inequality on Economic Growth” by Mowadat Ali studies the effect that gender inequality has on the economic development of Pakistan by analyzing economic and demographic data collected over for 30 years. This research paper looks specifically at how labor force participation of men and women, Gender Parity Index (GPI), and the country’s openness to trade affect GDP growth. After performing some statistical analysis, the author of the paper finds that these factors do have an effect on the dependent variable, which is GDP growth. The author concludes that positive changes to the GPI and to the female labor participation rate, these changes will result in a positive change in economic growth. This means that promoting gender equality in Pakistan would be beneficial to the economy of the country.
            While there are more important reasons why gender equality should be promoted in Pakistan, such as fairness and to improve the lives of Pakistani women, I found this paper interesting because it builds an argument from a perspective that is often overlooked and that might be more convincing to politicians and business leaders. The author makes the case that it is obvious to think why gender inequality negatively affects GDP growth. First, if women do not have the same access to education as men do, this means that a lot of talented women do not have the opportunity to reach their full potential, something that hurts innovation and productivity. Second, if women do not have the same access as men to employment, this would mean that firms are passing up on employing qualified women for less qualified men based simply on discrimination, something that would also hurt their productivity of a company or business.
            Unfortunately, gender inequality prevails in Pakistan as the country has one of the lowest female labor force participation rates in the world. There is also a big discrepancy in the access to education between men and women, as the female literacy rate is 45.2% compared to the male literacy rate of 69.5%. The author suggests that Pakistan should fight this gender inequality through legislation that protects women from discrimination in the workplace and by improving women’s access to education. Having a more equitable society not only increases human capital and the quality of life of women, but as we see, it also has positive impacts in the country and the economy as a whole.

Sources:

Mowadat, Ali. Effect of Gender Inequality on Economic Growth (Case of Pakistan). http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1032.1708&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Comments

  1. ChadMarch 2, 2018 at 12:32 AM

    The delegation of Chad realizes that in countries like Pakistan it is hard to get women into the education system. In many countries most women can’t get an education because of religious and cultural barriers. Surrounding countries can spread awareness and educate the public. Various seminars and presentations regarding the advantageous aspects of women’s education. Also promotion of successful native women who participated in high levels of education to come and speak to the community where educating women is not encouraged. Chad encourages the creation of an activist campaign incorporating celebrities and public figures from within participating nations, who will speak out in favor of educating young women. This campaign will incorporate both pop culture celebrities as well as prominent religious and political figures. In this way, both the younger generations which will be attending these schools and their parents, teachers, and local leaders.

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