Missing Voices, Missing Perspectives, Missing Women, Missing Reality—Gender in Economics

The chapter provides an overview of women in the economics profession and the challenges they face. These challenges begin as early as the undergraduate level, where women receive less support and encouragement to enter the field and encounter an outdated canon of theory that ignores women’s lives and experiences. It continues with less support as graduate students and culminates in gender bias in perceptions and behavior toward women. Compared to men, they are less likely to receive the same respect, support, credit, and rewards and must overcome higher standards to publish their research. Not only are women economists less likely to be promoted, some face sexual harassment and hostile climates. As a result, economics remains a male-dominated profession, with many women leaving the field or failing to realize their full potential. Solutions to improve gender equity in the discipline include not only mentoring and better informing women about career pathways in economics but also transforming economic theory itself to be more gender-aware and inclusive.