The Reduction of the Gender Gap through Global Value ChainsPolitical Commitment or Perpetuation of Gender Roles?

  1. Hugo Campos-Romero 1
  2. Bruno Blanco-Varela 1
  1. 1 Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
    info

    Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

    Santiago de Compostela, España

    ROR https://ror.org/030eybx10

Journal:
Revista de economía mundial

ISSN: 1576-0162

Year of publication: 2023

Issue: 65

Pages: 115-139

Type: Article

DOI: 10.33776/REM.VI65.7899 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openArias Montano editor

More publications in: Revista de economía mundial

Abstract

The relationship between international trade and the gender gap is complex. On one hand, foreign insertion can generate economic opportunities for women in the export sector. On the other hand, it can also result in heightened competition and the relocation of jobs, especially in the context of global value chains (GVCs). The study on the gender gap through GVCs examines the mechanisms within production networks that contribute to enhance women’s economic empowerment and gender equality. The paper analyzes the relationship between the gender gap, GVCs, technological intensity of exports, and female empowerment in the EU-27, investigating whether GVCs could reduce or worsen gender disparities. The aim of this paper is to expand the gender gap studies incorporating the effects of trade in value added in the European Union. The study used a panel of data from various sources, including Eurostat, Trade in Employment (TiM), and the World Bank. The results suggest that an increase in exports, regardless of the level of technological intensity, tends to exacerbate the gender gap in export sectors by increasing the proportion of male workers relative to female workers. However, a higher female participation rate in medium-low technology sectors could reduce the gender gap in export sectors. The study identified obstacles to female insertion in export markets, including the need to improve education and training for women in high-demand areas, promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and labor participation for women. This paper makes significant contributions to the literature by incorporating global value GVCs and considering the European context. Additionally, it provides an indepth analysis of socioeconomic factors that are crucial for designing policies aimed at addressing gender inequality.

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