The challenges and achievements of women's economic empowerment in Brazil through participation in the labour market

Ana Hermeto, Simone Wajnman and Mariana Eugenio Almeida

Chapter 4 in Women’s Economic Empowerment and the State, 2026, pp 74-99 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the significant increase in Brazilian women's labour market participation over recent decades and the persistent gender disparities that continue to shape their economic empowerment. Despite advancements in education, political representation, and leadership positions, gendered inequalities, including the unequal distribution of domestic responsibilities, wage gaps, and underemployment, remain barriers to economic equality. This study utilizes an intersectional approach, highlighting how gender, race, education, and family structure intersect to reinforce labour market inequalities. Drawing on Jill Rubery's framework, the chapter emphasizes the importance of analysing not only women's labour force participation but also the quality of jobs they occupy and the structural barriers that limit their advancement. In line with Rubery's analysis, the chapter argues that the unpaid care work disproportionately performed by women remains a central issue in achieving gender equality. Moreover, recent labour reforms and the absence of effective public policies in Brazil have exacerbated the vulnerabilities faced by women, particularly in informal and domestic work. Addressing these challenges requires a redistribution of domestic responsibilities, collective support for care work, and targeted policies that enhance women's opportunities for full economic participation and empowerment. The chapter aligns with Rubery's call for systemic changes, including public policy interventions, to create a more equitable labour market for women in Brazil.

Keywords: Brazilian Labour Market; Gender Disparities; Economic Empowerment; Unpaid Care Work; Intersectionality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921167
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