Publication:
The Contribution of African Women to Economic Growth and Development in Post-Colonial Africa : Historical Perspectives and Policy Implications

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAkyeampong, Emmanuel
dc.contributor.authorFofack, Hippolyte
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-26T20:55:56Z
dc.date.available2013-09-26T20:55:56Z
dc.date.issued2013-07
dc.description.abstractThis paper draws on history, anthropology, and economics to examine the dynamics and extent of women's contribution to growth and economic development in post-colonial Africa. The paper investigates the paradox of increased female enrollment in education and the persistence of gender discrimination in labor force participation; it also considers the overwhelming importance of the informal economy in female economic activity. The first axis the paper studies is whether reducing educational gender gaps enhances growth in per capita gross domestic product and reduces female fertility rates and infant mortality. The question is, why would some African countries resist this pattern? The second axis examines agriculture and home production. Women's economic activities in the informal economy largely represent the commercialization of domestic skills and dependence on social networks. The shunting of female production to the informal sector in the male-dominated colonial economy is easy to understand, but why has the informal economy persisted where female production is concerned well beyond the colonial period? The paper attempts to explain these trajectories by using country case studies on Senegal, Botswana, and Kenya. Although women's contribution to growth and economic development seems to be positive and significant in predominantly Christian and mineral-rich economies, it is more constrained in pronounced Muslim dominated countries and agrarian economies. At the same time, impressive uniform growth in informal sector production in recent years suggests that occupational job segregation and gender inequality remain strong across the region, despite the apparent loosening of traditional norms and cultural beliefs, most notably illustrated by the reduction in educational gender gaps and increased female labor force participation rates.en
dc.identifierhttp://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/07/18028087/contribution-african-women-economic-growth-development-post-colonial-africa-historical-perspectives-policy-implications
dc.identifier.doi10.1596/1813-9450-6537
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10986/15895
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherWorld Bank, Washington, DC
dc.relation.ispartofseriesPolicy Research Working Paper;No. 6537
dc.rightsCC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights.holderWorld Bank
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/
dc.subjectACCESS OF WOMEN
dc.subjectACCESS TO EDUCATION
dc.subjectACCESS TO RESOURCES
dc.subjectACCESS TO SCHOOLING
dc.subjectADULT EDUCATION
dc.subjectADULT WOMEN
dc.subjectAGE OF MARRIAGE
dc.subjectAGRICULTURAL SECTOR
dc.subjectBASIC EDUCATION
dc.subjectBASIC NUMERACY
dc.subjectBREADWINNERS
dc.subjectCAPACITY OF WOMEN
dc.subjectCAREGIVERS
dc.subjectCHILD EDUCATION
dc.subjectCHILD HEALTH
dc.subjectCHILD MORTALITY
dc.subjectCHILD MORTALITY RATES
dc.subjectCIVIL WAR
dc.subjectCOMPLETION RATES
dc.subjectCOUNTRY CASE
dc.subjectCOURTS
dc.subjectCULTURAL VALUES
dc.subjectCURRICULUM
dc.subjectCUSTOMARY LAW
dc.subjectDEPENDENCE ON MEN
dc.subjectDEPENDENCY RATIOS
dc.subjectDESCENT
dc.subjectDETERMINANTS OF GROWTH
dc.subjectDEVELOPING COUNTRIES
dc.subjectDEVELOPMENT POLICY
dc.subjectDROPOUT
dc.subjectDROPOUT RATES
dc.subjectECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
dc.subjectECONOMIC ACTIVITY
dc.subjectECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
dc.subjectECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
dc.subjectECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
dc.subjectECONOMIC GROWTH
dc.subjectECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
dc.subjectECONOMICS
dc.subjectEDUCATION OF GIRLS
dc.subjectEDUCATION PROGRAMS
dc.subjectEDUCATION SECTOR
dc.subjectEDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
dc.subjectEDUCATIONAL GENDER
dc.subjectEDUCATIONAL GENDER GAPS
dc.subjectEDUCATIONAL POLICIES
dc.subjectEDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
dc.subjectEMPIRICAL RESULTS
dc.subjectEMPIRICAL STUDIES
dc.subjectEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
dc.subjectENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN
dc.subjectENROLLMENT RATES
dc.subjectENROLLMENT RATIO
dc.subjectEQUALITY IN EDUCATION
dc.subjectETHNIC GROUPS
dc.subjectEXAMS
dc.subjectFAMILIES
dc.subjectFAMILY PLANNING
dc.subjectFAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS
dc.subjectFEMALE
dc.subjectFEMALE ACCESS
dc.subjectFEMALE CHILDREN
dc.subjectFEMALE EDUCATION
dc.subjectFEMALE EMPLOYMENT
dc.subjectFEMALE ENROLLMENT
dc.subjectFEMALE LABOR
dc.subjectFEMALE LABOR FORCE
dc.subjectFEMALE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION
dc.subjectFEMALE MIGRANTS
dc.subjectFEMALE POPULATION
dc.subjectFEMALES
dc.subjectFERTILITY
dc.subjectFERTILITY RATE
dc.subjectFERTILITY RATES
dc.subjectFORMAL EDUCATION
dc.subjectGENDER
dc.subjectGENDER BIAS
dc.subjectGENDER DISCRIMINATION
dc.subjectGENDER EQUALITY
dc.subjectGENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
dc.subjectGENDER GAP
dc.subjectGENDER GAPS IN ACCESS
dc.subjectGENDER INEQUALITIES
dc.subjectGENDER INEQUALITY
dc.subjectGENDER PARITY
dc.subjectGENDER RELATIONS
dc.subjectGIRLS
dc.subjectGROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
dc.subjectGROWTH REGRESSION
dc.subjectHEALTH CARE
dc.subjectHEALTH OUTCOMES
dc.subjectHEALTH SECTOR
dc.subjectHIGHLY EDUCATED WOMEN
dc.subjectHIV
dc.subjectHOME
dc.subjectHOUSEHOLD INCOME
dc.subjectHOUSEHOLD LEVEL
dc.subjectHOUSEHOLD SURVEYS
dc.subjectHUMAN CAPITAL
dc.subjectHUMAN DEVELOPMENT
dc.subjectINCIDENCE OF POVERTY
dc.subjectINFANT
dc.subjectINFANT MORTALITY
dc.subjectINFECTION RATES
dc.subjectINFORMAL ECONOMY
dc.subjectINFORMAL SECTOR
dc.subjectINFORMAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
dc.subjectINFORMAL SECTORS
dc.subjectINTERVENTIONS
dc.subjectISLAMIC LAW
dc.subjectKINSHIP
dc.subjectLABOR FORCE
dc.subjectLABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION
dc.subjectLABOR MARKET
dc.subjectLEARNING
dc.subjectLITERACY
dc.subjectLITERACY CLASSES
dc.subjectLITERACY RATES
dc.subjectLONG RUN
dc.subjectLONG-RUN GROWTH
dc.subjectLOW-INCOME COUNTRIES
dc.subjectLOW-INCOME COUNTRY
dc.subjectMEDICAL SCHOOL
dc.subjectMIDWIVES
dc.subjectMIGRANTS
dc.subjectMIGRATION
dc.subjectMINORITY
dc.subjectMOBILITY OF WOMEN
dc.subjectMOTHER
dc.subjectNATIONAL ACCOUNTS
dc.subjectNATIONAL LEVEL
dc.subjectNATURAL RESOURCE
dc.subjectNATURAL RESOURCES
dc.subjectOFFICIAL LANGUAGE
dc.subjectOPPRESSION
dc.subjectPARTICIPATION OF WOMEN
dc.subjectPARTICIPATION RATES
dc.subjectPATRIARCHY
dc.subjectPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
dc.subjectPHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
dc.subjectPHARMACIES
dc.subjectPOLICY DISCUSSIONS
dc.subjectPOLICY IMPLICATIONS
dc.subjectPOLICY RESEARCH
dc.subjectPOLICY RESEARCH WORKING PAPER
dc.subjectPOLITICAL PARTICIPATION
dc.subjectPOPULATION GROWTH
dc.subjectPOVERTY REDUCTION
dc.subjectPREGNANCY
dc.subjectPREGNANT WOMEN
dc.subjectPRIMARY EDUCATION
dc.subjectPRIMARY ENROLLMENT
dc.subjectPRIMARY ENROLLMENT RATES
dc.subjectPRIMARY ENROLLMENTS
dc.subjectPRIMARY SCHOOL
dc.subjectPRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS
dc.subjectPRIMARY SCHOOLS
dc.subjectPRODUCTIVITY
dc.subjectPROGRESS
dc.subjectPROSTITUTION
dc.subjectREDUCTION OF FERTILITY
dc.subjectRELIGIOUS BELIEFS
dc.subjectREPRESENTATION OF WOMEN
dc.subjectREPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY
dc.subjectREPRODUCTIVE ROLES
dc.subjectRESOURCE ALLOCATION
dc.subjectRICH COUNTRIES
dc.subjectROLE MODELS
dc.subjectROLE OF WOMEN
dc.subjectRURAL AREAS
dc.subjectRURAL POPULATIONS
dc.subjectSAFETY NET
dc.subjectSAFETY NETS
dc.subjectSCHOOL ATTENDANCE
dc.subjectSCHOOL QUALITY
dc.subjectSCHOOLS
dc.subjectSECONDARY EDUCATION
dc.subjectSECONDARY SCHOOL
dc.subjectSECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL
dc.subjectSECONDARY SCHOOLING
dc.subjectSEX
dc.subjectSEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOR
dc.subjectSINGLE WOMEN
dc.subjectSKILLED WORKERS
dc.subjectSOCIAL NORMS
dc.subjectSOCIAL RETURNS
dc.subjectSOCIAL SCIENCES
dc.subjectSOCIAL STATUS
dc.subjectSTATE SCHOOLS
dc.subjectSUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
dc.subjectTEACHERS
dc.subjectTEACHING
dc.subjectTECHNICAL TRAINING
dc.subjectTERTIARY EDUCATION
dc.subjectTRADITIONAL SOCIETIES
dc.subjectTUITION
dc.subjectUNDP
dc.subjectUNEMPLOYMENT
dc.subjectUNEMPLOYMENT RATES
dc.subjectUNESCO
dc.subjectUNICEF
dc.subjectUNIFEM
dc.subjectUNIVERSAL ACCESS
dc.subjectUNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
dc.subjectURBAN AREAS
dc.subjectURBAN CENTERS
dc.subjectURBAN GROWTH RATE
dc.subjectURBAN MIGRATION
dc.subjectURBAN POPULATION
dc.subjectURBAN POPULATIONS
dc.subjectURBAN WOMEN
dc.subjectURBANIZATION
dc.subjectVULNERABILITY
dc.subjectWAGE GAP
dc.subjectWARS
dc.subjectWDR
dc.subjectWIFE
dc.subjectWOMAN
dc.subjectWOMEN WORKERS
dc.subjectWORKFORCE
dc.subjectWORKING MOTHERS
dc.subjectYOUNG MEN
dc.subjectYOUNG WOMEN
dc.subjectYOUTH
dc.subjectYOUTH LITERACY
dc.titleThe Contribution of African Women to Economic Growth and Development in Post-Colonial Africa : Historical Perspectives and Policy Implicationsen
dspace.entity.typePublication
okr.crosscuttingsolutionareaGender
okr.crossref.titleThe Contribution of African Women to Economic Growth and Development in Post-Colonial Africa: Historical Perspectives and Policy Implications
okr.date.disclosure2013-07-01
okr.date.doiregistration2025-04-10T12:03:53.407755Z
okr.doctypePublications & Research::Policy Research Working Paper
okr.doctypePublications & Research
okr.docurlhttp://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/07/18028087/contribution-african-women-economic-growth-development-post-colonial-africa-historical-perspectives-policy-implications
okr.globalpracticeEducation
okr.globalpracticePoverty
okr.globalpracticeGovernance
okr.globalpracticeHealth, Nutrition, and Population
okr.guid580831468203693086
okr.identifier.doi10.1596/1813-9450-6537
okr.identifier.externaldocumentum000158349_20130722145609
okr.identifier.internaldocumentum18028087
okr.identifier.reportWPS6537
okr.language.supporteden
okr.pdfurlhttp://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2013/07/22/000158349_20130722145609/Rendered/PDF/WPS6537.pdfen
okr.region.administrativeAfrica
okr.region.geographicalAfrica
okr.topicGender::Gender and Development
okr.topicHealth, Nutrition and Population::Population Policies
okr.topicGender::Gender and Law
okr.topicEducation::Primary Education
okr.topicPoverty Reduction::Achieving Shared Growth
okr.topicHealth
okr.topicNutrition and Population
okr.unitGender and Development Unit, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network
okr.volume1 of 1
relation.isAuthorOfPublication6a1b1817-ea44-5d60-834a-9d658d5e118c
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery6a1b1817-ea44-5d60-834a-9d658d5e118c
relation.isSeriesOfPublication26e071dc-b0bf-409c-b982-df2970295c87
relation.isSeriesOfPublication.latestForDiscovery26e071dc-b0bf-409c-b982-df2970295c87
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
WPS6537.pdf
Size:
665.05 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
WPS6537.txt
Size:
146.09 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Policy Research Working Papers