Promoting Women's Economic Participation in India

Ghani, Ejaz ; Kerr, William ; O'Connell, Stephen D.

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ACCESS TO EDUCATION;    AGGLOMERATION BENEFITS;    AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES;    CITIES;    DISCRIMINATION;   

RP-ID  :  75524

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Despite rapid economic growth, genderdisparities in women's economic participation haveremained deep and persistent in India. What explains thesegender disparities? Is it poor infrastructure, limitededucation, or the composition of the labor force andindustries? Or is it deficiencies in social and businessnetworks and a low share of incumbent female entrepreneurs?This note analyzes the spatial determinants of femaleentrepreneurship in India in the manufacturing and servicessectors. It finds that good infrastructure and educationpredict higher female entry shares. Gender networks alsoinfluence women's economic participation, as strongagglomeration economies exist in both manufacturing andservices. A higher female ownership among incumbentbusinesses within a district-industry predicts a greatershare of subsequent female entrepreneurs. Moreover, higherfemale ownership of local businesses in related industries(similar labor needs, input-output markets) predicts greaterrelative female entry rates. Unlocking female empowermentand entrepreneurship is a direct path to shared prosperityand a more dynamic and sustainable growth.