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Social Institutions and Gender-Biased Outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Tendai Zawaira

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

  • Matthew W. Clance

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

  • Carolyn Chisadza

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

Abstract

Using data on historical homelands of ethnicities from the Ethnographic Atlas (Murdock, 1959, 1967) and World Values Survey (WVS) data, we analyse how social institutions perpetuate social attitudes that legitimise gender inequality in the labour market, specifically on female labour force participation in sub- Saharan Africa. We find that patriarchal systems in general such as patrilineal kinship, patrilineal land inheritance and patrilocal residence upon marriage reduce female labour force participation, whilst matriarchal systems have the opposite effect. These results are partly influenced by unequal gender attitudes towards women and their work. The findings suggest that social institutions are an important element in understanding gender dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa because they have over time informed on gender identification and appropriate gender roles in most societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tendai Zawaira & Matthew W. Clance & Carolyn Chisadza, 2020. "Social Institutions and Gender-Biased Outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 2020101, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:2020101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender; Africa; Institutions; Culture;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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