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Closing the Gender Gap: Promoting Labour Market Participation

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  • Harris, Jorgen M.

    (Occidental College)

  • Patacchini, Eleonora

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

In many countries, a significant share of the gender earnings gap stems not only from firm's practices, or self-selection into lower productivity jobs, but also from a lower participation among women. Inactivity around the age of motherhood is frequent including in the most advanced countries, and can have lasting consequences on the chances to return to the labor market, as well as future earnings and promotions. In this paper, we discuss the major barriers reducing women's labor force participation and examine the effects of several policies aimed at overcoming those barriers: parental leave, reserved paternal leave, state-funded childcare for young children, extended school hours, and individual taxation. For each, we provide a brief discussion of policy design and effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Harris, Jorgen M. & Patacchini, Eleonora, 2024. "Closing the Gender Gap: Promoting Labour Market Participation," IZA Discussion Papers 17219, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17219
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economics of gender; child care; time allocation and labor supply; labor market policy; maternal and paternal labor force participation; gender norms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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