Women Agricultural Engagement: Myth or Panacea for Income Empowerment of Women in Africa South of the Sahara

Abstract

Income disparity between females and males in the Global South continues to grow, especially in Africa South of the Sahara (SSA). In this current study, we have analyzed the effect of engagement in agriculture by women on income disparity in SSA. Data between 1991 and 2018 from two main sources were used for the analyses of the study. The sources of the data were the Global Development Index and Standard World Income Inequality Database databases. To analyze the results, we employed the two-stage least squares and pooled ordinary least squares estimation methods. From the analyses of the results, we found that women’s engagement in agriculture (WOMENAP) reduced inequalities in income distribution in Africa. WOMENAP lowered the disparity in Southern and Western Africa but worsened it in Central and Eastern Africa. The study concluded that women’s involvement in agriculture reduced income inequality (InE). Specifically, women who work in agriculture are able to contribute to reducing InE in southern and western parts of Africa. However, WOMANAP exacerbated InE in the eastern and central parts of Africa. The study, therefore, recommended maintaining gender balance in agriculture to close the existing economic gap.