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Micro- and Macrolevel Determinants of Women's Employment in Six Arab Countries
Authors: Niels Spierings, Jeroen Smits, and Mieke Verloo
Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5): 1391-1407; DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00772.x|
Topic(s): Employment
Women's status
Country: Africa
  Tunisia
  Egypt
  Morocco
Asia
  Jordan
More than one region
  Multiple Regions
Published: OCT 2010
Abstract: We analyzed determinants of women's employment with data for 40,792 women living in 103 districts of Arab countries. We tested a new theoretical framework that addresses the roles of needs, opportunities, and values at multiple levels. At the microlevel (individual, family), socioeconomic factors, care duties, and traditionalism were important; at the macrolevel (district), economic development and societal norms were important. Women's education seemed most influential. Interaction analyses showed that returns on women's education depended on their partner's education and on the economic development, labor market structure, urbanization, and strength of traditional norms in the district in which women live. Our results stress the importance of a comprehensive approach toward women's employment in these countries.