Women in Sciences and Engineering: Why Leveling Employment in Industrial Sectors Matters for Economic Diversification in Developing Countries

Yselle Flora Malah-Kuete, Désiré Avom and Luc Désiré Omgba

No 11211, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: While the importance of export diversification is emphasized in development patterns, the gender issues in this process are rarely covered. This paper empirically assesses the contribution of women's sectoral employment to the export diversification process, using a panel model of 125 developing countries from 1991 to 2018. The results obtained after several simulations and robustness tests to account for potential sources of endogeneity show that, overall, women's employment in different economic sectors positively affects the level of export diversification in developing countries. However, this positive effect is not evident in the primary sector, although it is significant when women are employed in the industrial and service sectors. Specific training in sciences, engineering, and technology through education is the underlying mechanism that explains the results.

Date: 2025-09-08
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