Economic Growth and Participation of Women in Labor Markets: The Case of Southern Africa

This paper examines the relationship between economic growth and women's participation in Southern African Development Community (SADC). Using panel data from 2000 to 2018 in 16 SADC countries, the paper finds that the participation of women in labor market has a significant impact on economic growth over time. That means that a one percent change in the female labor force participation leads to six percent increase in economic growth. The results also show that the increasing participation of women in the labor market and the growing number of female employers have a significant and increasing impact on SADC economic growth in the long run. Thus a one percent change in female employment marks 0.03 percent increase in economic growth over time. This paper contributes to SADC women's empowerment policies. In order to increase women's participation in labor market and economic growth, SADC must focus on policies that allow women to access resources and become business owners.