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Breaking the metal ceiling: Female entrepreneurs who succeed in male-dominated sectors

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Campos
  • Markus Goldstein
  • Laura McGorman
  • Ana Maria Munoz Boudet
  • Obert Pimhidzai

Abstract

Occupational segregation significantly contributes to the earnings gender gap worldwide. We look at differences in outcomes for male and female enterprises and their sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region of high female participation in entrepreneurship. Data on Uganda show that women breaking into male-dominated sectors make as much as men, and three times more than women staying in female-dominated sectors. Factors including entrepreneurial skill/abilities and credit/human capital constraints do not explain women's sectoral choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Campos & Markus Goldstein & Laura McGorman & Ana Maria Munoz Boudet & Obert Pimhidzai, 2017. "Breaking the metal ceiling: Female entrepreneurs who succeed in male-dominated sectors," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-166, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2017-166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Abhilasha Sahay, 2023. "Closing Gender Gaps in Earnings," World Bank Publications - Reports 39596, The World Bank Group.
    4. Buruchara, Josephine N, 2026. "Barriers Affecting Women Business Development in Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(1), pages 423-433, January.
    5. World Bank, 2021. "Strengthening the Link between Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Mali," World Bank Publications - Reports 36587, The World Bank Group.
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    7. Zelu, Barbara Ama & Iranzo, Susana & Perez-Laborda, Alejandro, 2024. "Financial inclusion and women economic empowerment in Ghana," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    8. Goedele Van den Broeck & Talip Kilic & Janneke Pieters, 2023. "Structural transformation and the gender pay gap in Sub-Saharan Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, April.
    9. Ana Pueyo & Simon Bawakyillenuo & Marco Carreras, 2020. "Energy Use and Enterprise Performance in Ghana: How Does Gender Matter?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(4), pages 1249-1287, September.
    10. Delavallade, Clara & Zenaki, Manil Nadir & Rouanet, Lea Marie & Koussoube, Mousson Estelle Jamel, 2024. "Exploring the Drivers of Youth Pursuing Vocational Training in High-Paying Sectors in Côte d’Ivoire," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10924, The World Bank.
    11. Pueyo, Ana & Carreras, Marco & Ngoo, Gisela, 2020. "Exploring the linkages between energy, gender, and enterprise: Evidence from Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    12. Mohd Alsaleh & Muhammad Mansur Abdulwakil & Abdul Samad Abdul-Rahim, 2021. "Does Social Businesses Development Affect Bioenergy Industry Growth under the Pathway of Sustainable Development?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    13. Khurana, Indu & Tamvada, Jagannadha Pawan & Audretsch, David B., 2023. "The weaker sex? A tale of means and tails," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    14. Das,Smita & Delavallade,Clara Anne & Fashogbon,Ayodele Emmanuel & Ogunleye,Wale Olatunji & Papineni,Sreelakshmi, 2021. "Occupational Sex Segregation in Agriculture : Evidence on Gender Norms and Socio-Emotional Skills in Nigeria," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9695, The World Bank.
    15. Rachel Masika, 2017. "Mobile Phones and Entrepreneurial Identity Negotiation by Urban Female Street Traders in Uganda," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(6), pages 610-627, November.

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