Gender and Economic Development Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: In countries where women’s property rights are limited by social norms or legislation, women are more vulnerable to poverty, violence, and illness. Women’s ability to overcome poverty is hampered, making them more vulnerable to domestic abuse and disease and during external conflict. Furthermore, their involvement in household decision-making is limited.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: In the United States, women earn 77 cents to the dollar that a man earns. One reason for this is that women are more likely to leave the workforce to take care of children. Another reason is that women are more likely to work in lower-paying fields like education, social services, and the humanities. However, this only explains the discrepancy to a degree. Less than 1% of CEOs are women; less than 15% of corporate board positions are held by women.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Gender-responsive budgeting is government planning specifically aimed at creating equal opportunities for women and advancing women’s rights. Morocco is one place where this has been successful. To increase the number of women receiving education, the government has expanded school lunch policies, extended medical services in schools, and provided transportation for students living in remote areas. The government is also providing vocational training, increasing access to microcredit loans, and establishing family planning clinics.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The United Nations consistently rank Sweden as the country with the most equal society because of the government’s support of education and antidiscrimination laws. Sweden has one of the world’s highest rankings in education, and equality in education is a priority. Women also tend to marry later and have fewer children because they pursue academic and professional opportunities. 16 months of paid maternity leave is available for those women who do have children. Sweden’s antidiscrimination laws protect women’s rights in the workplace. Seventy-nine percent of women in Sweden work, and they earn 93 percent of a man’s salary.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Women in the developing world are more likely to be poor than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to be at risk for hunger and face a higher risk for abuse. Women in developing countries face discrimination in education, health care, and employment. Furthermore, they rarely have access to financial assets or own land. Two-thirds of the world's illiterate people are women. In many countries, families can only send one child to school, and that child is almost always male. Girls must sacrifice schooling in order to work. The work women do is more vulnerable to market fluctuations; therefore, women are more likely to lose their jobs in an economic downturn. Many women are in low-paying jobs, and some are even enslaved. They are more likely to work in harsh conditions and to be abused.