Gender and Society

STUDY GUIDE TO THE TOPIC ON GENDER ISSUES IN THE ECONOMIC

Watch this video (https://youtu.be/xExxGcragr0?si=X276zHL-U1BdWxgg) to be able to answer
the following questions.

1. What is gender pay gap?

The gender pay gap is the average earnings difference between men and women, often due to
factors like discrimination, industry differences, career interruptions, and systemic issues,
affecting full-time workers.

2. Define labor force participation rate.

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the working-age population, typically aged
15 and older, actively seeking employment or employed, calculated by dividing the labor force
by the total population.

3. What is gender oppression and what are the sources of women’s oppression?
Gender oppression refers to the structural disadvantage and prejudice that people experience due
to their gender, which disproportionately affects women and non-binary people. It has its roots in
cultural structures, conventions, and behaviors that disadvantage women and femininity and
elevate men and masculinity. Historical and cultural contexts, economic exploitation, political
disempowerment, violence and abuse, health inequalities, education and knowledge gaps, and
intersectionality all have an impact on the oppression of women. These elements impact
women’s physical and mental health by contributing to the continuation of gender disparities.
Promoting gender equality, making sure inclusive policies are in place, questioning damaging
conventions, and enabling women to fully engage in society are all necessary to address the
oppression of women.

4. Discuss the issue of economic marginalization of women.

Economic marginalization of women is a global issue influenced by historical, cultural, and
structural factors. Key factors include the gender pay gap, unpaid care work, limited access to
economic resources, occupational segregation, and barriers to entrepreneurship. Women are often
concentrated in low-wage and informal sectors, with poor working conditions and limited job
security. Globalization can create new opportunities but also exacerbate inequalities, particularly
in industries where women are vulnerable to exploitation. Effective policies and legal
frameworks are crucial for addressing economic marginalization, including equal pay,
discrimination, workers’ rights, and social protection measures. A holistic approach that tackles
structural inequalities, challenges discriminatory norms, promotes gender-responsive economic
policies, and enhances women’s access to education, skills training, and leadership roles can
unlock their full potential for sustainable development and prosperity.

5. How do gender stereotypes serve as barriers to women’s career advancement?

Gender stereotypes significantly hinder women’s career advancement by shaping societal
expectations, attitudes, and behaviors. These stereotypes can restrict women’s career choices,
hinder their leadership abilities, and lead to workplace bias and discrimination. Stereotypes about
women’s abilities and commitment can lead to biased evaluations, promotions, and assignments.
Stereotypes about women’s work-life balance and family responsibilities can also impact career
progression. Stereotypes about women’s lack of assertiveness in negotiating salaries and benefits
can perpetuate gender pay gaps. Stereotypes about appropriate social interactions between
genders can limit women’s access to networking and mentorship opportunities. Additionally,
stereotypes about leadership style can disadvantage women who do not conform to traditional
male traits. Addressing these barriers requires education, awareness campaigns, inclusive
organizational policies, and leadership commitment to promoting diversity and gender equality.
Also, women employees tend to face discrimination due to being categorized by their gender
dimension and this hampers their career progressions. Threat to self-esteem. People are likely to
stereotype when they experience a threat to their self-esteem.

6. What are impacts of VAWC on women’s economic participation?

It has caused women to feel ashamed and lose their self-esteem. It threatens women’s personal
security. It jeopardizes women’s health and curbs their capacity to participate in social
development. Working women’s productivity decreases due to frequent absences resulting from
VAW.

7. What are the gender issues at work?

Gender issues at work include gender pay gaps, glass ceilings, stereotypes, work-life balance,
sexual harassment, underrepresentation, and microaggressions. Women often earn less for equal
work, and invisible barriers prevent them from advancing. Stereotyping and bias can affect
hiring, promotions, and work assignments. Addressing these issues requires promoting diversity,
equity, and inclusion policies, training on unconscious bias, creating supportive work
environments, and ensuring fair practices across all organizations.

8. What are the differences in the jobs taken by men and women and other genders?
Gender disparities in the workplace are influenced by historical and cultural norms, societal
expectations, educational opportunities, and personal preferences. Occupational segregation, pay
disparities, and underrepresentation in leadership roles are common issues. Women face unique
challenges in balancing career aspirations with caregiving responsibilities, which affects their
career progression. Emerging trends include more men entering nursing and teaching fields, and
more women entering STEM fields and leadership roles. Discrimination based on gender identity
can impact job opportunities and career advancement for non-binary and genderqueer
individuals. Despite progress, significant challenges persist across different industries and roles,
necessitating efforts towards inclusivity, equal opportunity policies, and addressing unconscious
biases.

9. What are the factors contributing to men’s higher labor participation rate?
Men’s higher labor force participation rate is influenced by various factors, including cultural
and social norms, family responsibilities, education and skill levels, occupational segregation,
wage disparities, discrimination, legal and policy frameworks, and personal choices. Traditional
gender roles often lead to men being the primary breadwinners, while women often bear a
disproportionate burden of caregiving. Men have historically had higher educational attainment
and access to training, which can lead to greater employment opportunities. Occupational
segregation may also influence men’s participation in sectors with higher participation rates.
Understanding these factors requires considering the specific social, economic, and cultural
contexts in which labor force participation occurs.

10. What is the nature of women’s unpaid care work?

Women’s unpaid work involves essential tasks like domestic chores, childcare, eldercare, nursing
care, collecting water and fuel, and managing household finances. These tasks are essential for
the well-being of households and communities. However, these tasks are often undervalued and
unrecognized, contributing to gender disparities in income, leisure time, and opportunities for
education and career advancement. Addressing these disparities is crucial for achieving gender
equality and promoting a more equitable distribution of responsibilities between men and
women.
 11. What are the barriers to women’s economic participation?
Women face numerous barriers to economic participation, including gender discrimination,
unpaid care work, limited access to education and skills training, limited access to financial
services, legal and regulatory barriers, societal norms and cultural expectations, workplace
discrimination and harassment, and limited networking and mentoring opportunities. These
barriers hinder women’s ability to enter higher-paying sectors, start businesses, and access legal
protections. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive efforts from governments,
businesses, civil society, and individuals to create inclusive policies and promote gender equality.

12. What are the women’s limitations in entrepreneurial activities?

Women face numerous challenges in entrepreneurship, including limited access to funding,
social and cultural barriers, limited networks and mentorship, balancing work and family
responsibilities, market access and bias, cultural stereotypes, and legal and regulatory barriers.
These limitations can hinder their ability to start and grow businesses, and can be addressed
through policy changes, investment in support networks, mentorship programs, and cultural
shifts towards gender equality in business and entrepreneurship. Also, women’s barriers to
entrepreneurial success include the lack of training opportunities, spatial mobility, and lack of
family and institutional support.

13. What are women’s limitations to access to resources?

Women face numerous limitations in accessing resources, including legal and policy barriers,
social and cultural norms, economic disparities, lack of education, limited mobility, healthcare
access, technological access, and political representation. These factors limit women’s ability to
participate in economic activities, access education and healthcare, manage their health, and
access digital technologies. Additionally, underrepresentation in decision-making bodies can lead
to policies and resource allocations that do not adequately address women’s needs. Addressing
these issues requires comprehensive efforts, including legal reforms, educational initiatives,
economic empowerment programs, and cultural changes.

14. Discuss the nation’s vision of women’s economic empowerment.

Women’s economic empowerment is a crucial aspect of national development strategies
worldwide, aiming to ensure equal access to economic resources, opportunities, and decision-
making power. Key pillars include equal access to economic opportunities, equal pay and
benefits, financial inclusion, leadership and decision-making, work-life balance, capacity
building and skills development, access to technology, support for women entrepreneurs, legal
and policy frameworks, and changing social norms and attitudes. These pillars contribute to a
nation’s vision of achieving gender equality and sustainable development, promoting economic
growth, poverty reduction, and social stability. Efforts to advance women’s economic
empowerment not only benefit women but also contribute to broader economic growth, poverty
reduction, and social stability.