:: Volume 27, Issue 1 (9-2016) ::
مجله‌ی بررسی‌ها 2016, 27(1): 103-119 Back to browse issues page
A Study of the Reasons of Lack of Women’s Participation in the Labor Market of Iran
Mohadeseh Safakish , Zohreh Fallah Mohsenkhani *
Abstract:   (5283 Views)
Women make up half of the population of countries but generally their participation in economic activities is not proportional to their potential. Studies conducted by the International Monetary Fund show that if women enter the labor market to their full potential, the macroeconomic situation of the country will observe significant improvement. Studies show that generally, developing countries have a significantly different level of economic activity of women than men do. For example in 2016, the participation rate of men is about 69 percent while the rate is around 60 percent for women. With regards to Iran, these rates account for about 63 percent and 13 percent for men and women, respectively. In Middle Eastern countries a 21 percent participation rate for women has been noticed. Studies have shown that the difference between the participation of men and women in economic activities is the main factor in the reduction of the rate of economic growth in many countries. Sociological perspectives state the hypothesis that the difference between women’s economic participation in various countries is more due to economic factors. It also it derives from issues relating to traditional and custom living systems, and social and cultural institutions. Also, the lack of hope for women to seek the job they were exactly looking for could be another factor in this regard. This means that the high unemployment rate in this group is the reason for their disappointment and this is considered from the active population. By analyzing the data of the labor force survey of the Statistical Center of Iran regarding the reasons for not looking for a job among inactive women, it was shown that more than 70 percent of them had, personal or family related responsibilities, and about 2 percent of them were needless of a job and about 1 percent of them named discouragement from finding a job as a reason for not search for one. This information can confirm the effects of attitudes, values and cultural in women’s participation in economic activities. Results from the Statistical Center of Iran Time Use Survey in urban areas in summer 1394 shows the average time spent for men to do housework in men is negligible as compared to mean and this resin may reduce women’s enthusiasm toward economic activities. Thus, it stated that the low economic participation rate of women in Iran is stemmed more from economic factors than from cultural and traditional attitudes in the society.
Keywords: Economic participation rate, labor force survey, not-in-labor force, employed, time use survey.
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Type of Study: Applicable | Subject: Special
Received: 2016/11/6 | Accepted: 2017/06/18 | Published: 2017/09/27


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Volume 27, Issue 1 (9-2016) Back to browse issues page