Reducing Gender Inequality Through Women Political Participation and Female Labor Force: The OECD Case

Abstract

This study examines the impact of women’s political and labor force participation on gender inequality. In this context, 22 OECD member countries with available data are selected as an appropriate sample. Methodologically, the study utilizes the panel cointegration test to explore the relationships among the variables under investigation. The analysis covers the period from 1991 to 2021. The findings indicate that a rise in women’s participation in politics and the labor force is linked to a significant decrease in gender inequality. Specifically, the regression results reveal that a 1 percent increase in women’s political participation leads to a 1.46 percent reduction in gender inequality, while a 1 percent increase in women’s labor force participation results in a 2.28 percent decrease in gender inequality. The study suggests that liberal principles such as equal access to governmental and parliamentary positions, as well as employment opportunities, should be extended to both men and women.