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Gender Inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean

Author

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  • Berniell, Inés
  • Fernández, Raquel
  • Krutikova, Sonya

Abstract

This chapter examines gender inequality, focusing on two critical spheres in which gender inequality is generated: education and work. The objective is to provide a current snapshot of gender inequality across key indicators as well as a dynamic perspective that highlights successes and failures. Facilitating a cross-country comparison as well by grouping countries within Latin America by their level of economics development and drawing comparisons with countries outside the region. Finally, it reflect on differences in the ways that gender inequalities play out across different socio-economic groups, particularly those that highlight other sources of inequality. The second part of the chapter focuses on the worksphere. Here it document significant improvements in female labor force participation over the last 20 years, especially among the least-educated women (those with incomplete secondary education). However, progress has not been equal across all the countries in the region the pace of improvement in this dimension has been slowest in the least economically developed countries. These are also the countries where a significant proportion of the adult working population, especially among men, continue to hold highly conservative norms about women's participation in work.

Suggested Citation

  • Berniell, Inés & Fernández, Raquel & Krutikova, Sonya, 2023. "Gender Inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13286, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:13286
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0005328
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Pablo Atal & Hugo Nopo & Natalia Winder, 2009. "New Century, Old Disparities: Gender and Ethnic Wage Gaps in Latin America," Research Department Publications 4640, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    2. repec:dbl:dblbks:1060 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Henrik Kleven & Camille Landais & Jakob Egholt Søgaard, 2019. "Children and Gender Inequality: Evidence from Denmark," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 11(4), pages 181-209, October.
    4. Francine D. Blau & Lawrence M. Kahn, 2017. "The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 55(3), pages 789-865, September.
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    6. Alessandra Fogli & Raquel Fernandez, 2009. "Culture: An Empirical Investigation of Beliefs, Work, and Fertility," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(1), pages 146-177, January.
    7. Marchionni, Mariana & Gasparini, Leonardo & Edo, María, . "Brechas de género en América Latina. Un estado de situación," Books, CAF Development Bank Of Latinamerica, number 1401.
    8. Berniell, Inés & Berniell, Lucila & Mata, Dolores de la & Edo, María & Marchionni, Mariana, 2021. "Gender gaps in labor informality: The motherhood effect," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    9. Juan Pablo Atal & Hugo Nopo & Natalia Winder, 2009. "New Century, Old Disparities: Gender and Ethnic Wage Gaps in Latin America," Research Department Publications 4640, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    10. Henrik Kleven, 2022. "The Geography of Child Penalties and Gender Norms: A Pseudo-Event Study Approach," NBER Working Papers 30176, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Henrik Kleven, 2022. "The Geography of Child Penalties and Gender Norms: Evidence from the United States," Working Papers 2022-20, Princeton University. Economics Department..
    12. Matthew Wiswall & Basit Zafar, 2021. "Human Capital Investments and Expectations about Career and Family," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(5), pages 1361-1424.
    13. Berniell, Lucila & de la Mata, Dolores & Bernal, Raquel & Camacho, Adriana & Barrera-Osorio, Felipe & Álvarez, Fernando & Brassiolo, Pablo & Vargas, Juan, . "RED 2016. More Skills for Work and Life: The contributions of Families, Schools, Jobs, and the Social Environment," Report on Economic Development, CAF Development Bank Of Latinamerica, number 1060, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education and Inequality; Education and Economic Development; Economics of Gender; human capital; skills; Labor productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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