Institutional framework, gender inequality impact female labour force

KUALA LUMPUR - Institutional framework, education, social justice, and neglect of gender equality contribute significantly to low female labour force participation.

In saying this, International development expert Souad Adnane said that religion is not the primary factor responsible for low female labour force participation.

"It is crucial to acknowledge and address these various drivers when examining female labour force participation globally," she said.

This matter is not limited to one’s country; on the contrary, it differs across regions and societies, she added further.

The intricate interplay between trade, industry, and societal norms is highlighted by research that has shed light on female labour force participation, emphasising the need for context-specific approaches to address this critical issue.

Recent research sheds light on female labour force participation in the intricate interplay between trade, industry, and societal norms, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches to address this critical issue.

Souad, for example, said research found that agricultural sectors and export-oriented industries are more women-friendly and tend to employ women.

"The increase in non-traded sectors, such as construction and retail, is more likely to be dominated by men, leading to higher male wages. "This is a job that is often seen as too low-paying or less desirable," she said at the 10th International Islam and Liberty Conference (ILN).

She also emphasised the fact that low female wages often occur when women have income.

"When women do have income, it often comes from their husbands or other male relatives, contributing to lower female wages as a result of reduced participation in trade-in goods. "Rising oil prices also lead to more entrepreneurial transfers to support traditional male-dominated roles, further reinforcing the idea that men are the primary breadwinners," she added.

In return, Souad said this would result in higher female income, or alternative income, where women may not need to work for income.

These factors, she believes, contribute to the complex interplay between the legal framework, social norms, education, and traditional occupational segregation that dictates where women are expected to work.